PROBLEM boozing is to be banned from the streets of Ipswich after town chiefs gave the green light to handing police new powers.

PROBLEM boozing is to be banned from the streets of Ipswich after town chiefs gave the green light to handing police new powers.

As part of a bid to crack down on alcohol-fuelled bad behaviour, council bosses voted unanimously last night to introduce a designated public places order (DPPO) across the borough.

The move will give police powers to fine or even arrest people who continue drinking booze once asked to stop.

Following a three-month consultation on the matter feedback from businesses, organisations in the town and members of the public has been positive.

The final decision was taken by members of Ipswich Borough Council who rubberstamped the move at a full council meeting.

A notice period of 28 days must now be served prior to the order coming into effect meaning the policy is likely to be in force by the beginning of December.

Phil Green, responsible for the Safer Ipswich initiative, speaking at the meeting, said: “This will send a clear message that Ipswich is not prepared to accept anti-social behaviour.”

Last November The Evening Star reported that council bosses were contemplating introducing a designated public places order (DPPO) in the town centre.

Since then the proposals were amended to include the entire borough boundaries.

The ban was initially mooted after town centre traders raised concerns over a period of time about groups of drinkers putting off customers and intimidating staff.

Research into the issue has revealed there is a hardcore of between 20 and 30 drinkers aged between 30 and 40 who frequent benches in the town centre.

The council has also removed a number of benches in the town centre where drinkers were known to gather.

Do you support plans to make Ipswich drink-free? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.