A PLAN to clamp down on anti-social behaviour by banning the drinking of alcohol in a town's streets has suffered a setback.

Hambleton District Council has been working with Thirsk police to bring in the ban.

The move came as residents complained of alcohol-fuelled anti-social behaviour in the town.

But a problem in the wording of the original application meant that the ban cannot be enforced in certain areas.

The notice listed various car parks and open spaces where the ban was enforceable, but it forgot to list the streets linking them.

So it is in force on the cobbled parking area of the Market Place, but it is not on the roads which run through it.

This means if someone stepped off the cobbled area on to the road, the police could not act.

PC Duncan Pears, of Thirsk police, said: "A minor hitch has taken place in that the roads within the ban area were not mentioned on the order.

"We can, however, enforce the order within the open spaces and car parks named on the first order."

Steps have been taken to address the problem.

"A further order has been drawn up to include all the highways within the ban zone," said PC Pears.

"There is a 28-day public consultation period. If there are no objections, we will be able to enforce the ban fully by August.

"I cannot see that a further five weeks will make any great difference."

The scheme will cover areas including Kirkgate, Millgate, Sowerby Flatts, the Market Place and Castlegarth.

These have been made designated public places under the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001.

It allows the police to take alcohol off anyone of any age in this zone and if they refuse, they can be arrested or handed a £50 fixed penalty ticket.

11:37am Tuesday 24th June 2008

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