Rules blocking anti-social drinking across several towns have been approved – but councillors insist “it’s not a blanket ban”.
Dover District Council (DDC) says people can still “drink a glass of prosecco” on beaches in Dover, Deal and Walmer as long as they behave responsibly.
The authority has been seeking to renew its Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), first implemented in 2022 and set to expire later this month.
The rules make it an offence to refuse to stop drinking in public or hand over bottles of alcohol when requested by police or an authorised council officer.
Prior to it being extended, DDC leader Cllr Kevin Mills (Lab) said it would help prevent shocking scenes of seaside disorder and violence like those across the east of the county last month, with Broadstairs the worst affected.
DDC’s cabinet met to approve the extension of the rules on Monday.
A council officer explained that just over 50% of respondents to the public consultation on the PSPO opposed the extension, but this was due to the misconception that it would ban drinking full stop.
“The biggest misconception that we had was around the level of anti-social behaviour that needs to be happening for that PSPO to actually be enforceable,” he said.
He stressed the areas covered were backed up by Kent Police data – with hotspots like Pencester Gardens and St James’ Church ruins in Dover covered by the rules.
Sandwich, however, is not covered.
“The data doesn’t suggest that we should be doing it across the whole district, we should just be looking at Dover town and Deal and Walmer,” the officer added.
Cabinet member Cllr Michael Nee (Lab) said at the meeting: “Social media has taken Deal beach as an area where people want to drink a glass of prosecco perhaps – but it’s clearly not a blanket ban, I think we just need to explain.
“People drinking responsibly would not be targeted.”
The council officer agreed, stressing “there has to be a level of abuse to another person or family or some level of anti-social behaviour to be enforceable”.
If police officers or authorised council personnel see people drinking irresponsibly and engaging in anti-social behaviour, they can demand they cease drinking or leave the area.
The punishment for breaching such an order is a £100 fine, reduced to £75 if paid within 10 days.
Fellow cabinet member Cllr Lynn Wright (Lab) praised the order as “necessary”.
She continued: “It might on initial reading come over as being very heavy handed but there’s only an enforcement once somebody has been requested to modify their behaviour whatever that is.
“If they don’t modify their behaviour whether it is managing their dog or their dog’s mess or whether it is not moving along in a motorhome or stopping drinking then the enforcement can then be applied.”
Speaking to KentOnline last week, members of the public in Deal said there is good reason to rein in anti-social youths in the district.
Sharon Wilkinson, 70, was enjoying a pint of beer on the town’s beach – one of the areas targeted by the PSPO – when she shared her views.
She said: “As long as people are drinking in moderation, what’s the harm?
“This is more of a retirement town where people like a quiet life so perhaps there’s not the need for this rule.
“It’s the younger generation that sometimes goes too far with drinking in public in large groups, so, actually, I think I would be in favour if the council wants to bring in a restriction.”
Deal residents Brendan and Lynn Birkett said they were in favour of street drinking rules.
“As long as they don’t annoy anyone, I don’t see anything wrong with people drinking in public but overall, I think maybe the PSPO is a good idea,” said Mr Birkett, 79.
Mrs Birkett, 75, added: “You do get some trouble over by Walmer Castle sometimes with young people drinking and hanging out in large groups.”
The PSPO also includes provisions on dog control and dog fouling – which council officers say they have a “zero-tolerance” policy on – and unauthorised camping across the entire district.
However, an officer stressed when asked by the cabinet that the unauthorised camping provisions would not be used to target the homeless.
“It can cover things from motor vehicles to tents but we would always try to provide welfare support first,” he stressed.
The cabinet voted unanimously to approve the new PSPO, which will come into force from July 27, lasting three years.
