HAMPSHIRE police have been given new powers to stamp out alcohol-fuelled antisocial behaviour in a north Hampshire village.

A full meeting of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council decided to approve an order banning people from drinking outdoors in some areas of Overton if they have been asked not to by a police officer.

The ban – called a Designated Public Places Order (DPPO) – comes after 31 alcohol related disorder incidents were recorded in Overton in the last three years.

The areas that the DPPO will cover when it comes into effect in September are Winchester Street, High Street, Sapley Lane Playing Field, Edward Kersley Playing Field, Oak Tree Park Play Area and Poyntz Road.

Councillor Clive Sanders, Cabinet member of community safety, development and transport, recommended the order be approved, saying there had been an extensive period of consultation with neighbouring residents.

He said: “The misuse of alcohol contributes significantly to crime and anti-social behaviour in our country and particularly in our borough.

“This gives the police a much needed order to solving all these problems.”

Before the councillors agreed to make the order, Overton councillor Ian Tilbury told them: “I certainly support this and think there’s a problem in part of the village.”

In a report to June’s borough council’s licensing committee, police said there had been instances of drunks urinating in the road and having to be returned to the care of their family.

The report, compiled by Overton beat officer PC Richard Baldwin, said: “I have been the local community beat officer for Overton for three years and during this time I have seen a rise in street drinking with both local youths and adults.

“Current legislation looks after the children. I can do very little with the adults who continually drink in public and cause annoyance to others.”