Police and the Safer Bristol Partnership are working together in Bedminster to tackle the street drinking problem that has been highlighted by local residents.
The street drinkers gathering in these areas can often be an intimidating presence for local residents. Over 100 local residents attending PACT meetings in June and July raised concerns about the street drinkers who congregate around East Street and Diamond Street making use of the cut-price off-licences in the area.
Inspector Caroline Bullen said, "The people of Bedminster have told us that this is a key priority for them and we have listened. We are determined to tackle the problems in the area using the powers available to us and by working closely with our partners over the coming months."
A drinking exclusion zone is already in place along East Street and over the coming weeks police will be targeting the area presenting the street drinkers with orders banning them from returning for 24 hours. If this order is violated then police will be taking further action and arresting repeat offenders.
Sergeant Lee Walton said, "We issued six notices to street drinkers in the exclusion zone last week and will continue to do so over the coming weeks. We will be clamping down by arresting any person who violates these banning orders. This will be the first time anyone in Bristol has been arrested under these laws but we intend to tackle the problem using all the powers available to us."
The work to tackle the problem is not only about enforcement, a group involving Police, Bristol City Council, local Councillors, Safer Bristol Community Safety Officers and the NHS have been working together not only to plan actions to crack down on street drinking but also to support those trapped in this lifestyle by their alcoholism.
Bristol City Council’s Streetwise team are helping the street drinkers get away from life on the streets and resolve their addictions and health problems.
The Streetwise project was set up in 2002 to tackle homelessness and begging in Bristol. They work with the NHS, the police and others aim to support homeless people in the city providing help with finding appropriate accommodation, support with drug and alcohol issues, and help to take up training and education.
Cllr Gary Hopkins, Cabinet Member responsible for the Streetwise Project said: "Anti-social behaviour linked to street drinking will not be tolerated in Bristol. Through the partnership enforcement and support work together to solve the problem and make our communities safer."
"A wide range of assistance is offered to solve accommodation and health issues. Streetwise works with a number of agencies to help with alcohol problems and can refer individuals to services such as detox, in-patient treatment and day treatment programmes, among others where appropriate."
Katie Porter Alcohol Co-ordinator for the NHS said, "Anyone arrested for an offence linked to drinking has access to an alcohol worker in custody. These workers discuss alcohol use and its effect on family life, health and offending behaviour with those arrested."
In addition police will be targeting off-licences in the area who are selling alcohol to the drinkers, who are often inebriated whilst trying to purchase drinks.
Sergeant Lee Walton said, "We will be speaking to shop owners in the local areas and reminding them to sell alcohol responsibly. They should not be selling to people who are obviously drunk, anyone doing so is breaking the law and will be dealt with accordingly."
Police will also be sending letters to all residents in the most affected areas of Diamond Street, British Road and West Street asking them to help police tackle the problem by informing them every time they see a disturbance.
Avon and Somerset Constabulary