Designated Public Places Orders will be rigorously enforced following a significant increase in street drinking on the Barbican over the recent bank holiday weekend.

Over the last few months Plymouth Police have been working with Licensed Premises Supervisors to ensure there is no street drinking in the four DPPO areas of Mutley Plain, North Hill, Union Street and the Barbican with an extensive education programme.

Sergeant Martin Worthington from Plymouth Police Licensing Department stated, "Since the introduction of the smoking ban, we have been working with licensed premises, educating the public on the legislation in these areas. With increasing numbers of patrons now leaving premises to smoke, we have seen an increase in consumption of alcohol outside in some areas particularly on the Barbican. Having reviewed the position on the August Bank Holiday weekend, it is clear that it is now necessary to step up our enforcement to ensure the Designated Public Places Orders are being complied with.

"No one wants to have their drink confiscated and disposed of. However, unless you are seated within a designated seating area, you cannot consume alcohol in the street in these areas."

From this Friday, 14th September police will be stepping up their enforcement of no street drinking on the Barbican and in other Designated areas.

The legislation contained within Section 12 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 prohibits the consumption of alcohol in a designated public place.

Police have the power to require a person to stop consuming alcohol and to surrender it to the officer.

An offence is committed where a person consumes alcohol after being required by an officer not to do so. Failing to comply with the officer's request could lead to the issuing of a £50 penalty notice.

"We had hoped to enforce the legislation without resorting to confiscation, however it is clear the current strategy is not working in certain areas. We will therefore start seizing drinks from this Friday and all patrons are advised not to take alcohol drinks outside with them, unless they are able to sit within a designated seating area. No one should leave a drink unattended. Patrons wishing to smoke are advised to do so between drinks.

"We do not want any of the businesses to lose custom as a consequence of this change in policy, so have been working hard over the last few months with signs within the premises to ensure that the public is aware of the order. We also want to make new students who are coming to the city for the first time to be aware of this legislation to ensure they do not inadvertently fall foul of it."

The Designated Public Places Orders apply in the following areas: THE AREA KNOWN AS THE BARBICAN: Following the boundary starting at the junction of Notte Street and Hoegate Street. Hoegate Street to its junction with Lambhay Hill. Lambhay Hill to its junction with Madeira Road. Madeira Road to West Pier. West Pier (up to the lock gate) following waterline along Barbican Quay, around White House Pier, along Quay Road, and on to Guy's Quay following on to Little Vauxhall Quay, Vauxhall Quay and then on to and along Sutton Wharf to opposite Looe Street. Looe Street to its junction with Vauxhall Street. Vauxhall Street around and into Notte Street. Notte Street to its junction with Hoegate Street.

THE AREA KNOWN AS UNION STREET: Starting at Royal Parade's junction with Derry's Cross roundabout heading south following the boundary around Derry's Cross, past Princess Way, Athenaeum Place and Athenaeum Lane, to its junction with Union Street. Union Street to its junction with The Crescent. The Crescent to the pedestrian crossing opposite Buckland Street and back down The Crescent to its junction with Union Street. Union Street to its junction with Bath Street, Bath Street to its junction with Bath Place. Bath Place to its junction with Bath Place West, Bath Place West to its junction with Martin Street. Martin Street until its junction with Sawrey Street. Sawrey Street to its junction with Battery Street. Battery Street (continuing, across Union Street) to its junction with Adelaide Lane. Adelaide Lane to its junction with Manor Street. Manor Street to its junction with Manor Gardens. Manor Gardens (across Octagon Street) to its junction with Flora Cottages. Flora Cottages to its junction with Flora Street. Flora Street to its junction with Union Street. Union Street to its junction with Western Approach. Western Approach to a point opposite the entry/exit of Colin Campbell Court, from this point back down to its junction with Union Street. Union Street to its junction with Derry's Cross roundabout. Derry's Cross roundabout to its junction with Royal Parade.

THE AREA KNOWN AS NORTH HILL: Following the boundary starting at the pedestrian crossing opposite the Central Library, North Hill (including Drake's Place) to its junction with Chester Place, across the junction of North Hill and back down North Hill to its junction with Blenheim Road. Blenheim Road to Sherwell Arcade. Sherwell Arcade to its junction with Gibbon Lane. Gibbon Lane to its junction with Tavistock Place. Tavistock Place to its junction with Drake Circus. Drake Circus to junction with North Hill. North Hill to the crossing outside the Central Library.

THE AREA KNOWN AS MUTLEY: Following the boundary starting at the junction of North Hill and Chester Place. Chester Place to its junction with Houndiscombe Road. Houndiscoumbe Road to its junction with Napier Terrace. Napier Terrace to its junction of Ermington Terrace and Seaton Lane. Seaton Lane to its junction with Ford Park Road. Ford Park Road to the junction with Ford Park Lane. Ford Park Lane to its junction with Hyde Park Road. Hyde Park Road to the junction with Manamead Road. Manamead Road to the junction of College Avenue and back down Manamead Road to the junction of Connaught Avenue. Connaught Avenue to the junction of Mutley Plain Lane. Mutley Plain Lane to its junction with Moorview Terrace. Moorview Terrace (including Moorview Terrace Park) to the junction of Alexandra Road. Alexandra Road to junction with Greenbank Road. Across Greenbank Road junction to North Hill. Across North Hill to its junction with Chester Place.