POLICE and community support officers in Redditch are launching a new publicity campaign to raise awareness of the Designated Public Place Order (DPPO) in the town centre.

The order, which was put in place to prevent antisocial behaviour, means police can issue fines to anyone who continues to drink alcohol in the area after police have told them to stop.

Two people have already been arrested for failing to surrender alcohol.

One has been fined £120 and a warrant has been issued for the second person after he failed to appear in court.

A third person has been given a court summons for urinating against the town's bandstand in the middle of the day.

Local policing officer Pc Fergus Green said: "The signs have been up for many months and we will be reinforcing the message by handing out the leaflets, so there will be no excuses for not knowing Redditch is covered by a DPPO.

"We are serious about tackling antisocial behaviour and inappropriate street drinking.

"We want people to realise we mean business and we will take action."

The DPPO was put in place as a joint initiative by police, Redditch Council and the Redditch Community Safety Partnership.

It covers the area within the ringroad including the Kingfisher Centre, bus and train stations and Trafford Retail Park.