Under Section 13 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001, local authorities can designate areas where there is evidence of alcohol-related crime, disorder or nuisance to place restrictions on public drinking.  These orders are called Designated Public Places Orders (DPPOs)

The making of a DPPO must be considered to be necessary and proportionate to the extent of the behaviour occurring in the area.

A DPPO applied to a specific area does not make it a criminal offence to consume alcohol within the designated area.  The powers are in addition to those already held by the Police which allow them to confiscate alcohol from anyone under 18 anywhere in the district.

While it is not an offence to consume alcohol within a "designated" area, the police have powers to control the consumption of alcohol within that place.  If they believe someone is consuming alcohol or intends to consume alcohol they can:

require them to stop; and

confiscate the alcohol from people

If someone, without a reasonable excuse, fails to comply with the officer's request they are committing an offence which can result in a penalty notice or a fine.

There are currently two Designated Public Places orders within the Braintree district; as follows:

St Michaels Church, St Michaels Road, Braintree and surrounding church yard

Weavers Park, Coggeshall Road, Braintree

These areas were selected by the Council in consultation with the Police, local communities and businesses based on evidence of high levels of drink related incidents.  Whilst DPPO's are a useful tool in helping to address alcohol related disorder, they are not the sole solution.