A VILLAGE near Woodbridge could become the first in an area of east Suffolk to bring in a new law stopping people from drinking in a designated area.Wickham Market parish council is liaising with Suffolk Coastal District Council and Woodbridge Police to obtain details of the new regulation which came into force in September.

By Jessica Nicholls

A VILLAGE near Woodbridge could become the first in an area of east Suffolk to bring in a new law stopping people from drinking in a designated area.

Wickham Market parish council is liaising with Suffolk Coastal District Council and Woodbridge Police to obtain details of the new regulation which came into force in September.

The Local Authority (Alcohol Consumption in Designated Public Places) Regulation 2001 is designed to stop people drinking in the open-air where there is anti-social behaviour connected with alcohol. Wickham Market stresses that it does not have a particular problem at the moment with drinking – but the parish council wants to have undertaken the necessary research so it can quickly apply for the order if it is required.

The Hill, the central point of Wickham Market, has been the venue in recent years for drinking and vandalism. Clerk Cath Caudwell said: ''We have had problems in the past, it seems to come in waves, and we want to keep an eye on it. We have been very quiet for some time but there has been a slight increase.''

The issue was briefly raised at this month's Woodbridge Police Sector forum at Woodbridge School and later there was a meeting at the district council offices attended by Wickham Market's district councillor Bryan Hall.

Mr Hall said: ''We are waiting for the commencement of The Hill enhancement scheme and what is concerning some parish councillors is that when that work is done - we hope it will look impressive and welcoming to visitors – we do not have piles of beer cans."