District councillors unanimously backed the plan at a meeting on Friday and hope tighter rules will put an end to alcohol-related anti-social behaviour.

The restrictions affect public places such as parks and streets in Bourne and Market Deeping.
South Kesteven District Council community safety officer Sandy Kavanagh said: "This is great news for the people of South Kest-even, who have told us they find drink-related anti-social behaviour intimidating.

"These new legal powers give police the extra tools they need to tackle the problem effectively in our district. We hope the new powers will nip in the bud alcohol fuelled anti-social behaviour before it happens."

The new restrictions will be in place by May 19 and allow SKDC the power to select public places where it will be an offence to drink alcohol after a police officer or a police community support officer has told someone not to do so.

Police and PCSOs will have the power to confiscate alcohol and people who don't comply with the request to stop drinking can be arrested.

Ms Kavanagh added: "The purpose of the Designated Public Places Order is not to ban the drinking of alcohol in public places. We won't, for example, be targeting people enjoying a bottle of wine in the park as part of an afternoon picnic.

"This is really about tackling anti-social behaviour that so often comes with excessive drinking."

To see which areas will be affected visit the website www.southkesteven.gov.uk/DPPO/