Published Date:
24 June 2009
TOUGH measures to stop drunken yobs marring any future Field Days are to be the focus of a special meeting next month.
Police, town, county and borough councillors and Field Day committee members are to get together to find a secure way forward for future events after the mayhem at this year's on June 13.
Twenty-one arrests were made on the day, with mostly 'outsiders' to blame, said Field Day chairman Bill Houghton after the event.
This week, he welcomed any effort to solve the problem. But he stressed: "I know it's all in the melting pot at the moment, but as far as our committee is concerned, whatever proposals are put through we need to make sure they won't alter things so as to make it no longer our Field Day event."
The town's Deputy Mayor Coun Jim Rogerson said: "The biggest problem was the amount of drink being brought in by visitors, they were carrying carrier-bags full of it off the buses.
"That's the problem – drinking on the street and pavement where lots of them were gathered, facing police on the other side. There is an enforcement issue here, but that would only move people into the supermarkets.
"The council can only act as mediator here and help the Field Day committee with the problem."
Concerned borough councillor Ken Hind said: "This was a special day spoilt by idiots predominantly from outside Longridge who could not hold their alcohol."
The meeting, fixed before Longridge Town Council meeting on July 8, will be chaired by Longridge Mayor Coun Rupert Swarbrick, and is set to include the Field Day committee, town councillors, borough and county councillors David Smith, Andrew Gridley, Jim White, Rose Croasdale and Jim Rogerson. They will meet with police and other borough council officals to devise a strategy to prevent the disruption of Longridge people's enjoyment of Field Day .
Coun Hind added: "This will involve consideration of a clampdown on under-age drinking, reviewing drinking in the street, availability off sales of alcohol from supermarkets and other outlets, the cost and level of policing , use of mounted officers, and the need to consider new licencing conditions for pubs and outlets. Issues on health and safety, event management and licencing will also be on the agenda."
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Last Updated:
24 June 2009 11:17 AM
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Source:
n/a
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Location:
Longridge