New powers to tackle alcohol disorder in Tunstall
New powers to deal with alcohol-related anti-social behaviour now apply in part of Stoke-on-Trent after more than 800 people signed a petition.
The petition, submitted by Tunstall Chamber of Trade, came after an increasing number of residents in the town raised concerns with the police.
Police and community support officers can now require a person to stop drinking alcohol in the town centre.
Failure to comply could lead to a fine of up to £500.
Within the Alcohol Restriction Zone (ARZ), officers may ask a person to stop drinking in a public place for various reasons, including if they are creating a disturbance or behaving in an anti-social way.
They can also require a person to surrender any containers containing or suspected to contain alcohol.
Failure to comply makes a person liable to be arrested.
The ARZ only applies to public places. Pubs, beer gardens, houses and gardens are not included in the scheme.