AN alcohol ban is due to be imposed on a West Devon village next month ? the first time such an order has ever been imposed in the borough.

The new order concerns consumption of alcohol in public places in Bere Alston and follows an extensive consultation exercise in the village.

It means drinking will not be allowed in certain streets, roads, footpaths, bridleways and land in the village as of April 1. The order has been imposed by West Devon Borough Council.

Nick Payne, environment director at the borough, said: ?The move follows from our crime audit and fear of crime surveys which we undertook as part of our community safety strategy, launched in April 2002.

?That showed there was a problem occurring in Bere Alston, associated with anti-social behaviour around the consumption of alcohol in the open air.?

Mr Payne said a wider set of initiatives was carried out by West Devon?s community safety partnership following the initial survey findings.

Problem areas were identified and the intention to make the village a no-go area for open air drinking was advertised.

?We received no adverse comments on the matter at all,? said Mr Payne.

?Hopefully, once the order comes into effect, it will give the police more clout in dealing with any problems,? he said.

Sgt Dave Anning, West Devon?s community safety officer, said: ?For the first couple of weeks at least we will have an amnesty, which means we will approach anyone drinking alcohol outside, we will point out the legislation and warn them they are committing an offence.?

Sgt Anning said anyone ignoring the legislation after receiving warnings would be treated seriously by officers.

The legislation would be enforced ?rigorously?,? he said.

?There will be powers of arrest, it won?t be just a case of telling them off.

?Following the initial amnesty there will be a heightened police presence in the village, particularly at weekends and evenings, the times offences are most likely to be committed,? he said.

Sgt Anning said the habit of people, mainly young, hanging around drinking in streets and public places in Bere Alston, made residents feel threatened when they were out and about.

It was hoped the open-air drinking ban would make the village a happier place to live, and cut down on associated problems like litter.

?Hopefully, by the time the summer is here, there will be an alcohol-free zone in the area,? he said.

Sgt Anning said efforts were still on-going to try and give young people more to do in the village.

The Community Safety Partnership had contributed towards lightweight oars for the new gig rowing club based at Weir Quay and it was still hoped to set up a youth group in the village.

Cllr Eaon Wager, chairman of Bere Ferrers Parish Council, said the introduction of an alcohol ban was positively welcomed by the council. It had been in the pipeline for many months and the council was pleased to see it finally come into use.