Police Take Action on Castleton Street Drinkers

Date published: 09/09/2005

Inspector Chris Hill has warned pub licence holders in Castleton to keep their customers from drinking in the street.

The warning was provoked from a Public voice on Policing meeting in August with police officers, councillors and members of the community, when a number of complaints were made against the issue. Many members of the community have complained of feeling ‘intimindated’ and ‘frightened’ of walking up Manchester Road, towards the Commercial pub and Midland Wine Bar.

Chris Hill said: “Crowds who stand drinking in the street are not only causing a problem for local residents, but it is in breach of the boroughs alcohol ban which is already in place.

“Pub licensees have now been warned, and hopefully they will now become stricter with customers that wander outside and drink on the pavement.”

Councillor Ted Flynn, who was also at the meeting said: “If we were dealing with one drunk on the street with a can in his hand, then it would be tackled easily. But we are dealing with a large number of people who are all out together; it makes the job a little more difficult for one policeman patrolling the area. More action needs to be taken.”

The pub licence holders have been reminded that their licence is up for renewal annually, and to put extra thought into where their customers are drinking.