PLANS to cut crime and disorder in Bere Alston by placing a ban on alcohol consumption in public areas look set to get the go-ahead.
West Devon Borough Council is expected to make an order preventing people from drinking alcohol on the village?s streets, parks and footpaths.
Consultations are now under way with the Bere Alston community after the borough?s environment committee backed the proposed bylaw last month.
The move follows calls for action in December by villagers concerned about the number of young people ? some as young as nine and ten ? publicly abusing alcohol.
Resident and former ambulance officer Trevor Paddon-Hall presented a petition signed by 207 people to councillors, asking for a by-law to tackle the problem.
Villagers were worried that certain open areas were effectively becoming off-limits to them because of youths consuming dangerous amounts of alcohol.
A recent analysis carried out by the Bere peninsula?s community constable, PC Rick Hartigan, revealed alcohol-related crime and disorder is significantly higher in the area than in other local villages.
His figures showed 16 of the 33 logged incidents between November 2001 and October 2002 were linked to youth and alcohol abuse issues.
PC Hartigan said he was very much in support of the proposed ban.
He said: ?Through recent weeks we?ve had kids cutting their feet on broken bottles, and the ongoing problem of residents feeling intimidated walking down the road.
?It?s only going to get worse with the summer approaching. Hopefully this order will reduce petty crime and improve the quality of life for people.?
If the new legislation is approved at full council, as expected, the police will have greater powers of arrest under the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 and will be able to stop someone drinking in public.
They will even have the power to confiscate opened containers of alcoholic drink.
Cllr Christine Grills, ward member for Bere Ferrers, said she welcomed the ban on drinking in public but added members of the community would have to help enforce it.
?This is a good thing for the area and will help people feel safe again on the streets,? she said.
?People drinking heavily tend to get a bit abusive and a lot of people are very afraid of their behaviour.
?You are never going to wipe out the problem altogether but this will definitely help.
?We?re hoping people in the community will help the police uphold the ban by discouraging youngsters from disobeying it and reporting those that do,? she said.
?We already have the co-operation of local shopkeepers and off-license owners as well as the steward of the social club, who all play their part by not serving alcohol to under-age drinkers.?
Nick Payne, West Devon?s environmental services officer, who recommended the proposal in his report, said the drinking ban was one of several measures being considered to tackle youth crime in Bere Alston.
He said: ?We are looking at this as part of a range of measures yet to be arranged which might include provision of additional facilities for young people in the area.?
The environment committee will consider the results of the current consultation exercise, including any objections, at their next meeting before a final decision is made by full council.