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A special full Council meeting was held on the evening of Monday 17 December, where Carlisle City Council Members during the course of business approved the introduction of Designated Public Place Orders (DPPO’s) for two separate locations in the City and will be legally enforceable from Friday 21 December.

These applications were pursued at the request of the Carlisle and Eden Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership, and are designed to cover two areas the City Centre itself and the St James Park area of Denton Holme. Both these areas have seen a recent increase in alcohol related anti-social behaviour. These powers are now in place in time for the Christmas period and will compliment other, ongoing initiatives that will help to create a safer environment for people to enjoy the festive period.

DPPO's create an area where problems of anti-social alcohol drinking in public places can be dealt with by Police Officers and Police Community Support Officers giving them powers to confiscate alcohol and even arrest individuals who behave in a disorderly fashion and who fail to response to warnings given. They are applied for by the Local Authority and represent a ‘partnership approach’ to tackling these issues.

The City Centre Local Policing Team Inspector Justin Bibby said: ‘’whilst the majority of people want to enjoy Carlisle City Centre, there is the small minority who spoil it for the rest. The powers that the DPPO will give us will allow the police to deal quickly with incidents involving alcohol and disorderly behaviour."

Mary Robinson Chair of Carlisle & Eden CDRP welcomed the new initiative saying:

Partners are committed to working with other agencies to make a difference by addressing the issues that matter to our communities. DPPO’s provide real reassurance to local people that agencies are determined to tackle problems in their area and further embeds the message of respect.

Cllr Judy Prest portfolio holder for Health and Wellbeing said:

The City Council is very keen to support the development of DPPO’s, their introduction has been as a result of a proper consultation process with the communities they cover. DPPO’s are designed to be a complimentary measure aimed at supporting other policing methods for dealing with alcohol related anti-social behaviour.

Cllr Hughie McDevitt, speaking on behalf of all Denton Holme Ward City Councillors said:

Over a long period of time we have had numerous residents’ approach us expressing their concerns about young people being drunk in the St James’s Park area. We have taken these concerns to the Police, Council and CDRP and we are very pleased with their proactive response. The introduction of DPPO’s will make a very real difference to the quality of life for the residents of the ward. The introduction of these measures show that residents of Denton Holme will not tolerate anti-social behaviour. The ward has strong sense of community and is a vibrant place in which to live and work and by introducing these measures we are ensuring that our residents continue to feel safe and secure.

Cllr Olwyn Luckley, speaking on behalf of all Castle Ward City Councillors said:

We are delighted that the City Council working in partnership with CDRP and Police are making full use of the powers provided by the Government's Anti Social Behaviour Act and are introducing DPPO’s. Local people have a right to feel safe in their homes and communities. These measures will help the Police to ensure that the residents of Castle Ward are protected from drink fuelled anti-social behaviour.

These measures are designed ensure the safety of the public, enhance the night time economy, reassure the public and proactively demonstrate this type of behaviour will not be tolerated. These DPPO’s are being introduced because of alcohol related disorder for example the City Centre predominantly covered by Castle Ward, saw a 5% increase in reported anti-social behaviour related incidents between April and July 07, in conjunction with 853 alcohol / disorder related incidents, reported between January and September.