City to extend alcohol free zones

One thousand four hundred streets across Londonderry have been earmarked by police and Derry City Council to become possible alcohol free zones.

It is hoped the inclusion of the streets will help combat on street drinking and anti-social behaviour.

"This is an initiative that has come from the community," said councillor Gerry MacLochlainn.

"There's a very definite wish from people that we get rid of the anti-social drinking.

"The police and local community groups have been discussing the situation across the city. Where an area, or a street, is a problem they have been listed under a by-law to prohibit the drinking of alcohol on the street.

"We'll be publishing that list for people to look at, if they think there is a street that should be on it and isn't, that is the time to tweak the list."

The Department of Social Development will then have to approve the list and the by-law.

"Clearly there can't be police standing on every street, and the police assured us they were talking about a common sense approach here," said Mr MacLochlainn, chair of the environmental services committee.

"It means they have the power to intervene if there are problems developing. At the moment they may go to an area and there is nothing to stop the people drinking in the area."