Booze ban call in damage fury

In December, The Press reported on a number of incidents in Hemingbrough, near Selby, including damage to a bench on the green at Water Lane.

The bench was repaired, but has now been destroyed again, with wooden panels thrown into the pond.

Roland Chilvers, chairman of Hemingbrough Parish Council, said: "I think the issue of underage drinking and drink-related antisocial behaviour in our villages is very important and one which we must combat."

He said empty cans and bottles of alcohol had been found around the damaged bench.

"The introduction of alcohol-free zones would deter this behaviour, and hopefully reduce antisocial behaviour and vandalism locally. I am strongly in favour of the no-alcohol zone scheme being extended to Hemingbrough and Cliffe."

Tim Grogan, Selby District Council's licensing officer, said no-alcohol zones had been introduced in Selby, Brayton, Barlby, Kellington, Eggborough, Sherburn-in-Elmet, Tadcaster and Hambleton.

"This is a system that has worked in all the areas it's been introduced," he said.

"The ban can only be enforced by police and it is discretionary. My experience is that antisocial behaviour is generally conducted by people drinking outdoors - and it is not just under-18s.

"Police can take alcohol off under-18s, but these powers allow them to take it off over-18s too if they believe they are causing - or are likely to cause - nuisance and disorder."

Mr Chilvers said the vandalism problems had flagged up the importance of local youth provision.

"I am very keen for youth provision to be expanded, and I am fully supportive of Hemingbrough Methodist Chapel and their efforts to secure funding to use the centre as a drop-in style youth club for teenagers," he said.

"This is an excellent project, and one that I hope will be the first of many such projects introduced over the next few years."

The issue of alcohol-free zones will be discussed by Hemingbrough Parish Council on February 16.