Rhyl centre 'looking like an ashtray'

By Terry Canty

A COUNCILLOR has claimed Rhyl is becoming an "absolute ashtray" following the introduction of anti-smoking legislation.

Cllr Diana Hannam told a recent meeting of Rhyl Town Council: “The town centre is becoming an absolute ashtray. I can’t see how they are fulfilling the law with smokers standing in the doorway of a public house.“We haven’t had the cold weather either yet – let’s see what happens then.”

In a letter to Rhyl Town Council former police sergent Roly Schwarz, now community safety manger with Denbighshie Community Safety Partnership claims the Licensing Act of 2003 and its four main objectives of Prevention of Crime and DIsorder, Prevention of Public Nuisance, Public Safety and Protection of Children from Harm were not being followed.“Allowing people

to block the pavement, drop cigarette butts on the floor, drink alcohol in the street, and be outside generally does not promote the objectives. New applications or variations to the existing terms and condition of licence will require the applicants to fully explain their policy and procedure for those who wish to smoke.

Clearly expecting customers or staff to stand on the pavement outside premises is not acceptable.”Mr Schwarz said North Wales Police and Rhyl Neighbourhood policing team were determined to deal “robustly” with those who liter, including cigareet butts.Denbighshire County Council have provided Police Community Support Officers with fixed penalty notices to tackle the problem and CCTV was to be used to gather

evidence.Cllr Joan Butterfield said she wanted applications for smoking areas not to come in the form of the variety of gazebos and awnings gracing pubs.