PLANS to help police crackdown on loutish, alcoholfuelled behaviour in a popular Darlington park have been announced.

Proposals to give police greater discretionary powers to stop people drinking alcohol and confiscate it in Darlington town centre have been extended to include Stanhope Park.

Councillors Ian Galletley and Tony Richmond have asked for the park to be included in the proposed order, initially called for by members of the town's Pubwatch and Shopwatch schemes.

The proposed regulations, known as a Designated Public Place Order (DPPO), will be discussed by councillors next month.

The order is supported by members of Shopwatch and Pubwatch following ongoing anti-social behaviour issues in the town centre.

Traders, who called for the action in June, say affected areas include High Row, Skinnergate and Bondgate, as well as in the market place and around St Cuthbert's Church.

Business owners hope an order would reduce the number of people wandering around the town centre during the day openly drinking alcohol. Problems also occur in Stanhope Park, on the corner of Stanhope Road North and Abbey Road.

A newsletter to College Ward residents, sent out by Couns Galletley and Richmond, said: "Following complaints about loutish behaviour fuelled by alcohol in the park, the order will strengthen existing powers of the police to confiscate drink and even arrest troublemakers.

"This does not mean a total ban on alcohol, responsible folk will still be able to have a glass of wine and a picnic, but we should see significantly less drunkenness."

A council spokeswoman said: "A report regarding DPPOs has been written and will be submitted to council on November 24 for consideration.

"Local residents have been consulted and a Darlington Borough Council representative was present at the Police and Communities Together meeting, on September 14, to explain the DPPO.

"We can confirm that Stanhope Park is included in the DPPO area."