AN ALCOHOL control zone is set to come into force in Callington next Monday in a bid to combat alcohol fuelled anti-social behaviour. The Designated Public Places Order has been requested by the town council and will be set up to coincide with National Alcohol Awareness Week, along with those in Liskeard and Looe. Signs are being placed around the three towns designating the areas covered by the alcohol control zones. Within the zones, police and community support officers have special powers to deal with those who drink in public and behave in an anti-social manner. Penalties range from confiscating the alcohol and imposing a £50 fine through to arrest and a maximum fine of £500, depending on the severity of the situation. East Cornwall police Inspector John Turner said: 'Police already had the power to confiscate alcohol from young people under the age of 18, but most of those linked to the drink-related crime in the areas covered by the designated public places orders are over 18. 'The new alcohol control zones will help us to deal promptly and effectively with alcohol-related anti- social behaviour by all age groups.' The orders are being funded by Callington Town Council and Caradon Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership, which includes Caradon District Council, Cornwall County Council, Devon and Cornwall Police and Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Primary Care Trust. Caradon's safer communities councillor Margaret Allen said: 'South East Cornwall has a reputation for being a relaxing and peaceful place in which to live and do business, and we want locals and visitors alike to continue to enjoy the safety and tranquillity of an area with a very low level of crime. 'The alcohol control zones are a step in the right direction towards stamping out the drink fuelled bad behaviour of a few that can blight the lives of those around them.' A number of other initiatives have been implemented in Callington to help reduce anti- social behaviour and forge links with the community, including CCTV, neighbourhood watch schemes, pub watch and Community Action Through Sport where young people are rewarded with sports-based awards for getting involved in community projects. The police have also been instrumental in winning funding for summer holiday playschemes to keep children off the streets and with partners have helped set up a youth club and improve play facilities in nearby Gunnislake, which had a shortage of activities for young people. Callington portreeve Denise Winfindale said the alcohol control zone, which will cover a large area of Callington, including the town centre, both recreation parks, the community college and the cemetery, would give police the extra powers to deal with drink-related problems in the town.
