The campaign builds for alcohol-free zones in two villages

PRESSURE is growing for alcohol free zones in Great Sankey and Penketh.

The movement for by-laws to stop people drinking in public is being advanced on at least three fronts.

Residents and councillors are concerned at problems with nuisance youths, particularly youths coming into the area from the inner wards.

Great Sankey South Councillor Liz Smith has worked with the police and council officers to see how they can be put in place in her areas.

Insp Brian Heywood, head of policing for Great Sankey and Penketh, has repeatedly said he wants to see alcohol free zones.

And Penketh Clr Fiona Bruce has started a petition to make Honiton Way an alcohol free zone.

She announced the news and asked for signatures at the inaugural Penketh Community Action Meeting, which was held in Penketh High School recently.

She also said she is going to 'press Warrington Borough Council for funding for Community Support Officers to cover Penketh'.

An alcohol by-law would be made by the parish council but would have to be approved by the Government, and would need to be similar to a 'model by-law'.

Neighbouring Halton Borough Council has a town-wide by-law that gives police the power to arrest people if they fail to hand over alcohol to a police officer. The number of arrests was negligible because people usually hand over their drinks when asked.