Six drinking ban zones approved

Six alcohol control zones are being set up in part of Kent this month.

Tonbridge council said the move allowed police to confiscate alcohol from those "behaving irresponsibly and disrupting other people's lives".

Signs advertising the zones will be in place by Sunday, and the move will come into force on Monday.

Police said officers would be able to act against a minority who drank publicly and were "oblivious" to the anti-social nature of their behaviour.

Extra powers

The zones are being created in Tonbridge, West Malling, Borough Green, Wrotham, Platt and Leybourne.

The council has also agreed to extend an existing zone in Snodland.

Councillor Gordon Court said: "These control zones will not prevent the vast majority of residents and visitors from enjoying a sociable drink out with friends or family.

"They will, however, give the police the extra powers they occasionally need."