RESIDENTS and businesses are being urged to have a say on plans designed to cut alcohol-related problems across Oxford.

The city could become England's third district to introduce powers allowing police to confiscate alcohol from anyone causing problems in any public place.

Oxford already has 11 alcohol-free zones, but Thames Valley Police and some residents have complained about problems with people crossing zone boundaries to continue drinking when confronted by police.

The city council wants police and police community support officers to have powers to take drink from anyone causing "alarm, distress or harassment", and is asking people to tell them what they think of the proposals.

Anyone who refuses to hand over alcohol could be arrested and fined up to £500 if prosecuted. Officers will also have power to issue £50 fixed penalty fines.

Susan Brown, the council's executive member for crime and community safety, wanted to make it clear that only those causing problems would be penalised.

She said: "We're not targeting people having a drink at a picnic or in a park, it's the troublemakers that will be affected.

"The 'cause alarm, distress or harassment' part is very important. Parts of Oxford do have problems with people congregating to drink and we've had complaints that the existing zones have caused displacement, so we think this is the best way forward."

A sample of 1,000 residents is being polled, and the council is encouraging people to write in with their views.

The council's area committees are also discussing the plans.

Consultation will run until Friday, March 31, and the plans go before the full council on Monday, April 24.

If approved, the new powers could come into force immediately.

Oxford was one of the first places to introduce alcohol-free zones in 2002, and the city council extended the ban to a further five areas the following year. Under the new scheme, the existing zones will remain in place, meaning that no one regardless of behaviour can drink within the specified area.

Only Brighton and Sandwell, in the West Midlands, have introduced alcohol bans across their districts, but councils there have praised the results and received Home Office support.

Alcohol-free zones in Oxford which will continue to have a complete ban are the city centre 'entertainment area', including George Street; Wellington Square and Little Clarendon Street; Blackbird Leys Road shops and Windrush Tower; Magdalen Bridge and The Plain; Manzil Way and Cowley Road from SS Mary and John School to Union Street; the canal basin area; area bordered by The High, Broad Street, Cornmarket Street and Catte Street; area bordered by Queen Street, St Aldates, Castle Street and the river; areas opposite Blackbird Leys Road shops including from the Medical Centre to the Housing Office; west of city centre, including Park End Street, Hythe Bridge Street and Mill Lane; Walton Street from Little Clarendon Street to Cranham Street.

In consultation with police, the city council has identified several areas as having problems with drink-related anti-social behaviour, including: Cowley Road between Union Street and The Plain; shops on and around The Parade, Rose Hill; areas around Blackbird Leys Road shops; Summertown shops and nearby church grounds; Wood Farm shops; Grandpont Nature Reserve; Abingdon Road; Osney cemetery and Iffley Road.

  • To have a say on the plans, write to the community safety officer, Oxford City Council, Strategy and Review, Town Hall, St Aldates, Oxford, OX1 1BX.