RESIDENTS hope a planned alcohol restriction zone will help tackle anti-social behaviour on their estate.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council wants to see a ban imposed in parts of Tunstall to stop drunks loitering in the area.

Consultation with the community has now ended and a decision is expected shortly.

The proposed Alcohol Restriction Zone (ARZ) would give police extra powers to arrest anyone that refused to give up alcohol when requested.

The ban would cover the majority of the town, including Tunstall Park, Tunstall Memorial Gardens and Tunstall town centre where day-time drinking has become a major concern.

It is also set to include the Bankeyfields estate.

And members of Bankeyfields Residents' Association at a meeting last night said they were keen for the plans to go ahead.

Matt Burke, aged 36, of John Rhodes Way, has lived in the area for over 10 years.

He said: "I am in favour of the restriction zone as I think we have a growing problem with anti-social behaviour in the neighbourhood and this will help tackle that."

Matt, a website developer, added: "The aim is to not let the Tunstall drunks come here from the city centre and encroach on our area.

"It is a blanket proposal to protect people because the police are so busy these days they often have their hands tied when it comes to anti-social behaviour."

Plans for the ban were first put forward in October after a surge in reports of drunks smashing bottles and intimidating people.

Alan Seddon, aged 59, who has lived in the area for nine years, said: "I think the fact that the drinking is so visible is the main problem and it is time for Tunstall to be protected as well as other parts of the city."

Alcohol restriction zones are already in place in parts of Hanley and at Burslem Park.

Alan added: "In a sense you are probably just moving the problem on with these restriction zones but I don't think it is right for people with cans to come and drink here. We want to improve the area's reputation."

However, some residents have raised concerns that the zone could affect house prices by giving the area a bad name.

But Colin Hunton, aged 60, who has just sold his property on John Rhodes Way, rejected those suggestions. He said: "I can understand why people are concerned, but if anything I think banning alcohol would enhance house prices because it shows we are a strong community and have tackled this problem."

A 829-signature petition in support of the plan has already been submitted to the council.

Martin Garner, city councillor for Goldenhill and Sandyford, said: "Most of the comments I have received have been very supportive of the no alcohol zone. I know there are concerns around house prices but the feedback from estate agents is that it would not affect the saleability of properties."

If approved the council will put up signs to highlight that a restriction zone is in place. A decision will be made at the next licensing committee meeting in February.

Chief Inspector Adrian Roberts, local policing team commander for Stoke North, said the ban would be enough tool in the force's armour.

He added: "It is a preventative measure – we are nipping it in the bud after alcohol consumption has been identified as a problem.

"I look at Tunstall town centre as a developing site and we don't need these people who think it is acceptable to drink at 7am to ruin that image."

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