The use of drinking bans to curb the problem of youths swilling beer in public places is to be discussed at a meeting next week.
Members of the public are to thrash out concerns at the Benfleet Area Forum, to be held at Castle Point Council's offices in Kiln Road, on Wednesday at 7.30pm.
The problem of drinking in public was raised last month at the Thundersley Area Forum. At that meeting, they looked at the possibility of introducing a ban on drinking at the Common Lane Recreation Ground in Thundersley.
A ban would mean a person could be asked to hand alcohol in his possession, apart from drinks in sealed containers, to a police officer.
While the act of drinking would not be an offence in itself, failure to hand over the alcohol could be an arrestable offence leading to a maximum fine of £500.
Councillors are to give their views on the problem at the meeting next week and discuss how the law could be applied in Benfleet.
Published Friday November 8, 2002
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