AN order giving police the power to confiscate alcohol from drunken yobs came into effect in Chippenham this week.

The Designated Public Places Order (DPPO) makes it an offence for a person to drink alcohol in the marked zone after being requested by a police officer not to do so.

After nearly a year of disputes and delays, the blanket order, covering the whole town, will mean that people who don't comply could face arrest.

The town council, police and local pubs and landowners were all consulted before the order came into effect on Monday.

The designated area will be marked by road signs and these will inform people of the consequences of violating the order.

Although North Wiltshire District Council backed the DPPO from the start, Chippenham Town Council initially raised concerns.

They felt that the ban was a good idea in theory, but should not cover the whole town, which it now will.

Chippenham police sergeant Martin Alvis has been trying to get the order in place for the past 18 months.

He said: "We have been working on this for such a long time now and so it is brilliant to finally see it in force.

"We are very pleased with this, not just for us, but for communities living in the town."

A map of the designated zone is available to the public at the district council offices in Monkton Park or online at www.northwilts.gov.uk.

A DPPO has already been introduced in parts of Trowbridge, including the town park.