WHOLE streets in Saltney could become alcohol-free zones if the town council gets it way.
Despite South Flintshire police inspector Alun Oldfield advising them that an application for open spaces and playing fields is more likely to achieve success, councillors all voted to ask for a comprehensive list of locations including entire streets.
At a meeting of Saltney Town Council last week, Cllr Veronica Gay suggested Park Avenue recreation field, Carlton Avenue Play Area, Tegid Way play area, Billy’s Park, St David’s Terrace play area, the area of Mainwaring Street, the vicinity of Victoria Road shops, Ewart Street and North Street all be included in the application.
PC Claire Fielding offered her support to the move, saying it would help combat issues of anti-social behaviour associated with drinking outdoors.
She said: “As the North Wales police Community Beat Manager, I fully support any application made in respect of this as I can only see that any restrictions of this nature in certain areas would be a great benefit to the local community and would assist in reducing issues linked to this particular activity.”
She suggested many of the areas chosen by councillors be made alcohol-free zones, adding: “Most of these areas are regularly affected by issues of anti-social behaviour that can be directly linked to the consumption of alcohol.”
Cllr Terry Walker supported the plan in theory but warned police staffing levels in the area might render them unenforceable.
He said: “It’s no good having them in place if we haven’t got the police back up to support it.
“Park Avenue recreation field is the worst place to try to catch someone in the country.
“There’s about five escape routes.
“The most successful applications do not involve streets, they involve play areas.”
Insp Oldfield endorsed the zones but suggested that in his experience, attempts to get a whole street designated as an alcohol-free zone have failed.
He said: “It sends the right message as an area: ‘We don’t want you drinking here’.
“We have four in other areas and since they’ve been in place, it’s reduced those problems.”
