THE POSSIBILITY of an alcohol-free zone in Callington town centre is back on the agenda. The idea was explored a couple of years ago by the town council but rejected because of the costs involved. Councillors are reinvestigating the scheme after a meeting with police officers — Callington Sgt Brett Phillips suggested it as a way forward in making the town cleaner and safer. Cllr Jeremy Gist at a meeting of the council last week said it was a simpler way of dealing with law enforcement in terms of anti-social behaviour. 'It can sometimes be very difficult to enforce legislation — you have to prove someone is being drunk and disorderly,' he said. 'If we had an alcohol-free zone it would simply not be allowed to sit on the wall of St Mary's Close drinking alcohol.' It was also felt that broken bottles and empty beer cans would be eradicated from the streets. Alcohol bans have been implemented in Liskeard and Looe and the council will be looking into how successful these have been and the costs involved. Mr Gist said on the last occasion it was investigated, it turned out that the legal fees were more than the council expected and as the costs were not budgeted for in the precept the idea was dropped. Callington PC Jamie Gilbert said an alcohol-free zone would allow police to target the 'wanton drinking of alcohol' which sparked anti-social behaviour, littering and criminal damage.
