TOUGH new powers to curb alcohol drinking and related anti-social behaviour at a popular beauty spot in the Northern Yorkshire Dales come into force this week.

Reservoir ranger, Graham Gaunt, with
some of the litter collected at the beauty
spot

Sheepwash and the Cod Beck Reservoir near Osmotherley in Hambleton have been made a 'designated public place' - prohibiting the consumption of alcohol if the police feel there are risks of disorder. It also gives officers the power to confiscate alcohol.

Hambleton District Council served the order on the area after learning of an increase in anti-social behaviour at the reservoir - especially during the summer weekends - often fuelled by drink. Signs have been erected around the site this week warning visitors of the new ban.

"We have been monitoring the problems at Cod Beck for the last 12 months - and the evidence clearly points to a link between anti social behaviour from young people and alcohol," said Hambleton Community Safety Partnership Manager, Chris Fields.

"Many of them come to camp around the reservoir - which is also illegal - and bring alcohol with them. They cause untold damage to this beauty spot - fires are lit, rubbish is left and people are intimidated by their behaviour."

The new order - which comes into force on Friday (August 18), allows the police to ban the consumption of alcohol around the reservoir and the adjoining land if they believe it is causing problems. Officers can take action against all offenders - all cans and bottles whether opened or not can be seized and disposed of.

"We do not want to stop anyone from coming to Cod Beck," added Chris. "But we want them to come and enjoy themselves and go home safely. Camping should be saved for registered campsites and drinking for where it is legal and safe.

"We hope this crackdown will help us deal with the problems created by drinking at this beauty spot."

The council made the order under the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 which allows the authority to designate trouble spots as 'public places'. There are three other designated 'public places' in the Hambleton district - on the Applegarth and Bullamoor Parks in Northallerton and High Green in Great Ayton.

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