Alcohol banned in Church Square in crackdown against "anti-social behaviour"

Friday 10 September 2021

Church Square has been made an alcohol-free zone to help "protect the public from some of the worse examples of anti-social behaviour".

The Home Affairs Committee has signed off the necessary paperwork to ban consumption in the area.

The decision was taken in order “to prevent nuisance or annoyance to the public”, following several reports of disorderly behaviour in the area.

The alcohol-free zone extends through Church Square to the streets and lanes immediately surrounding it, including Quay Street, Market Hill, the steps leading to the Commercial Arcade, and Cow Lane.

Pictured: The Order will not apply to events and activities organised by Town Church.

Home Affairs President Rob Prow said the Committee has received “a number of concerning reports” regarding anti-social behaviour taking place. 

“However, the Committee is also aware that this alcohol-free zone order is not going to solve the issue in its entirety – colleagues will continue to engage with the relevant stakeholders to see what else can be done and to try and arrange for proper support to be put in place where it would help. 

“We have also made direct contact with the Committee for Health & Social Care to ensure we are working in a joined-up way when offering that support.

“In the meantime, it is hoped that this order will help protect the public from some of the worse examples of anti-social behaviour that have been reported in the area.”

The St Peter Port Douzaine approached Home Affairs and Bailiwick Law Enforcement to remove the benches outside the Town Church following what Constable Zoe Lihou described as a small minority of intimidating and abusive people who congregated in the area. 

Pictured: “We are working with community police officers and taking advice from law enforcement on how to tackle a range of anti-social behaviours in town,” said Ms Lihou.

“I am delighted that action is finally being taken to ensure a more welcoming environment at one of the main gateways to the heart of our Town,” said Ms Lihou following the announcement from Home Affairs. 

“Having highlighted this issue and sparked much debate, I now hope other areas of the States responsible for the health and social aspect of behavioural issues act as effectively as Deputy Prow's Committee in making it happen."