Police blitz sees alcoholic drinks seized on Bognor's streets

Carried out by four PCSOs on the evening of September 25, it was part of Operation Respect.

This aims to reduce bad behaviour by targeting areas which have seen an increase in such problems. Police said Friday saw a significant increase in the number of people out on the town.

This was partly due to Freshers' Week at the University of Chichester's Bognor Regis campus and an adult weekend at Butlins.

A high police presence kept decent order as most of the confiscated drinks '“ including beer, spirits and alcopops '“ were seized early in the evening from people across a wide age range. Bognor Regis has an alcohol restriction zone preventing people drinking alcohol in public places.

This is rigorously enforced when bad behaviour is anticipated, and those drinking alcohol or seen in possession of it in such locations are at risk of it being confiscated.

The police are also keen to ensure parents of under-18s are told alcohol has been seized from them.

Inspector Clare McKnight said: "There is a clear link between alcohol misuse and antisocial behaviour.

"The neighbourhood policing team are actively targeting areas where teenagers are congregating or antisocial behaviour has been present, and will seize any alcohol that is found within the alcohol restriction zone."

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