Designated Public Place Order

Making a difference

Carlisle City Council has today started the formal process of consultation on the introduction of a Designated Public Place Order (DPPO) for two separate locations in the City.

DPPO's create an area where problems of anti-social alcohol drinking in public places can be dealt with by police officers, allowing 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.

These applications are being pursued at the request of the Carlisle and Eden Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership, and are intended to cover the two areas of the City Centre and the St James Park area of Denton Holme. Both these areas have been subjected recently to an increase in alcohol related anti-social behaviour.

Subject to the results of the consultation, it is hoped that the powers will be in force in time for the Christmas period. They will compliment other, ongoing initiatives that will help to create a safer environment for people to enjoy the festive period.

The City Centre Local Policing Team Inspector Justin Bibby said:

Whilst the majority of people want to enjoy the facilities in 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. The order will not affect those people who behave

Mary Robinson Chair of Carlisle & Eden CDRP welcomed the proposed 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

DPPO's are authorised by the local authority and the City Council is very keen to support their development. Their introduction is subject to proper consultation with the communities that they will affect and that is the process that we have now commenced. Our aim is to have them in place in time for Christmas.

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.