Worsthorne street drinking ban

8:17pm Monday 12th May 2008

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By Chris Hopper »

A STREET drinking ban could be imposed in a village to tackle the boozy teens who are travelling across town to cause trouble.

Police have told councillors they want the streets of Worsthorne to be no alcohol areas because under-age yobs are drinking and trashing the village.

Youths have been seen causing damage to the village's primary school, smashing bottles and throwing cans of beer in the air.

The zones would give police powers to seize booze.

They would also allow officers to arrest disruptive, loud or troublesome youths and remove them from the streets.

Sgt Martin Selway, from Burnley police, said: "There's been an increase in youths drinking in Worsthorne and it is attracting youths from other areas of Burnley.

"They have been gathering in quite large groups and it is intimidating local residents.

"I recently took an extremely drunk youth home to Glen View Road in Burnley and he had been supplied with alcohol by his parents to take to Worsthorne.

"We think the no alcohol zones will be a good preventative measure and will set the right tone.

"It will restore peace and quiet to the village."

The move was backed at a parish council meeting last week when police revealed they had been issuing youth referral forms and direction to leave notices in the absence of no alcohol zone powers.

Coun David Heginbotham, who sits on the parish and Burnley councils, said: "Worsthorne has always been a target because you can get the bus here.

"It has been happening because it is nice and sunny. You are not going to get it if it's blowing a gale."

The proposals will now be put before Burnley Council's licensing committee before being rubber stamped at a full council meeting.

Police say existing no alcohol zones in Burnley town centre and Padiham have worked well.