On course to seize alcohol

Orders giving police more powers to confiscate alcohol could be put in place in Newark town centre and the Hawtonville estate.

Newark and Sherwood District Council general purposes committee agreed on Thursday that consultations should start on proposals for designed public place orders.

Once in place, they would enable the police to confiscate drink from people of all ages if the situation warranted it.

Orders already cover the Yorke Drive and Winthorpe Road areas, Newark Castle grounds, Balderton, and parts of Southwell, Ollerton and Boughton.

Members were told that Hawtonville Safer Neighbourhood group asked for an order because street drinking was a particular problem. The police requested a similar order for Newark town centre.

Mr Peter Harris could not understand why all the riverside area had not been included and it was agreed to extend the area to cover the towpath.

Mrs Rita Crowe was concerned that the Elm Avenue area had not been included and it was agreed to further extend the area to the town boundary with Balderton.

Legal adviser Mrs Karen White said there was no problem extending the area requested, providing there was enough evidence of disorder to warrant it.

Mrs Irene Brown hoped the orders could be in place by Christmas.

Mrs White said that was unlikely because of the consultation, but there would be no delay in getting things under way.