Drinking Controls on Woodhouse Moor

4.11.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 20th Aug 2008

Headingley ward members have been made aware of proposals to temporarily relocate the St. George's Crypt homeless shelter to the former Mount St. Mary's school site on St. John's Road in Burley. The close location of this site to Woodhouse Moor means ward members will have to consider the impact this could have on street drinking in the area.

A report is due to be considered by Leeds City Council's Executive Board in September to discuss the results of a recent consultation on whether to introduce Designated Public Place Orders (DPPO) in two areas of Hyde Park and Woodhouse ward - Hanover and Woodhouse Squares and Little London. After lengthy discussions with the police and local residents, it was decided not to include Woodhouse Moor in these plans at this time. However, in light of these new proposals, ward members will be working with the police to ascertain whether the Moor should be covered by a separate DPPO.

DPPOs give Police, PCSOs (Police Community Support Officers) and other authorised persons the power to request anyone in the designated area stop consuming alcohol and hand over their drink. Those who do not comply would be committing a criminal offence and could face arrest, a £50 fixed penalty notice or a £500 fine if taken to court.

Councillor James Monaghan (Lib Dem, Headingley), commented:

"There is currently no evidence of street-drinking related anti-social behaviour on Woodhouse Moor. Therefore, the decision was taken not to include it in the DPPO areas. We will, however, need to consider the potential impact of the possible relocation of St. George's Crypt and will be discussing our options with the police."

If it is deemed likely that there would be an increase in drink-related anti-social behaviour on Woodhouse Moor, the Council will begin a new consultation. Local residents, businesses and other interested parties will work together to ascertain whether a new DPPO for this area is the best way forward.