Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

Trowbridge Park to become a safer place?
In June, West Wiltshire District Council agreed to work with Wiltshire Police and Trowbridge Town Council to introduce a Designated Public Places Order (DPPO), covering Trowbridge Park and other key areas in the town centre that may have alcohol related problems.

Introducing a DPPO will make it an offence to drink alcohol after being asked not to do so by a police officer in a designated public place. It also gives police the power to confiscate and dispose of any alcohol in the person's possession.

A DPPO is not a total ban on drinking alcohol in public places and it is not intended to stop people drinking in moderation. Anyone drinking alcohol sensibly, for example in the park with a picnic, would not be affected. The proposed DPPO will cover much of the central area of Trowbridge.

Chris March, the community portfolio holder at WWDC said: "Introducing a DPPO will support the Transforming Trowbridge project, by making the town centre a more pleasant and enjoyable place to visit.

"It will give the police new powers to tackle the alcohol related anti-social behaviour that takes place in Trowbridge Park and the town centre, and we have worked closely with the police and Trowbridge Town Council to identify the area the order should cover.

"We are currently consulting on the proposed order and will be holding a drop-in session at Trowbridge Civic Hall for anyone who wants to find out more about the proposal."

You can also view the draft DPPO, a map of the area and a list of road names the proposed order will cover on the Council's website or at:

- West Wiltshire District Council, Bradley Road, Trowbridge.

- Trowbridge Town Council, Fore Street, Trowbridge.

- Wiltshire County Council, Bythesea Road, Trowbridge.

- Trowbridge Library, Cradle Bridge, Mortimer Street, Trowbridge.

Any comments should be sent to: Donna Mountford, Communications Officer, West Wiltshire District Council, Bradley Road, Trowbridge BA14 0RD or by email to dmountford@westwiltshire.gov.uk by Friday 7 December 2007.