To be worried about 3 strange grown up men in the playground

[MintChocc]

They came to the playground (without children), and started using the swings. They were talking loudly and drinking beer. A lot of parents left.

Technically the playground is only for children up to 12 and their parents. If I see them again, can I report them? Who to? Sorry I am just asking because I don't know English laws.

Thanks

I suggest op you ring up your council and make a report.

Drinking alcohol in the playground is typically not breaking any law. And I doubt the age is more than advisory either.

If the people have gone (several days ago!), it's completely pointless to call the council now.

""Drinking alcohol in the playground is typically not breaking any law. ""

It is where I live in Liverpool and you do get arrested for anti social behaviour, causing a breech of the peace etc.

We have alcohol by-laws, that are enforced because of previous escalating trouble, the Police use discretion they on the spot fine for drug use, which doesn't seem to happen according to many on here, where they live.

There are alcohol licences issued on certain days, but play parks, around ponds etc are restricted areas.

The advice on here, that says it's fine to drink in a swing park, especially to someone not from the UK, is wrong.

OP next time phone your local Police number or 101, depending on where you live (according to MN) they will respond.

It's rough where I live, in a lot of extreme ways, but parents don't put up with shit like this, there would be local protest until the issue is responded to.

Most towns/city's have by-laws about drinking in public places except on special days, eg gala days, New Years Eve etc . Maybe if you called 101 they may be able to help.

Don't think there is any need for adults on the swings if there are children playing there. If it's a play park in a park (if you know what I mean) they are just being 'smart' . There are usually benches in parks .

"Most towns/city's have by-laws about drinking in public places"

No they typically have a Designated Public Place Order in place (but not always), these do not make it illegal to drink in the Designated area, but what they do mean is that a police officer can ask you to stop (and if you don't, that is then illegal).

From what I can see there is no by-law in Liverpool, they just use DPPOs.

www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/new-ferry-crackdown-street-drinking-4026899

Liverpool parks byelaws here: www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/156742/response/383375/attach/html/2/251222%20att%20BYELAWS%20PLEASURE%20GROUNDS%20WALKS%20OPEN%20SPACES.doc.html

There are in fact no byelaws for drinking in the park.

There is a byelaw saying that if there is sign saying the equipment is for the use of under 14s, then no one of 14 or older should use it.

But adults on swings are fine

Huh! I think I have only tried to swing twice as an adult.

The first time I ended up feeling very sick and the second time the rope broke and dumped me on the floor. (This was in a private garden not a public park I hasten to add)

There's absolutely NO reason why teenagers can't use the park, just the same as any other member of the public. What a ridiculous thing to say

Every single park around here has signs up saying they are for under 13's only apart from the big ones with skate ramps

AgaPanthers Where I live all drinking in public outside, ie parks, street , beach, outside the pub ( unless it has a private beer garden) basically everywhere except private property and inside homes, pubs , hotels etc is strictly speaking against the law, unless on a few named days which are exempt. Although it is often ignored and very hard to enforce in reality.

Is that somewhere in England & Wales?

I feel sorry for the teens, just when they're old enough to go to the park and stay there's by themselves they're seen as too old and intimidating. We could do with more parks aimed at older kids tbh.

Yabu OP, anyone can use a park.

We have a few parks for 14+ in this area , but guess what? They are overrun by little kids

We can't drink outside in Glasgow and its been that way since the mid 90s. I'm not sure what legalities are invoked but I've seen a good number of people having their carry out confiscated by the police or being huckled away in the back of a police van.

If your situation was in Glasgow the fact that the men were drinking outside would have allowed the police to approach them and its likely the police would have moved them on as well.

My opinion here OP is that any one can use the park but they should do it in a fashion that doesn't make any one else using it feel so uncomfortable they have to leave. I wouldn't let my 3 year old go screaming round a performance at the bandstand or people doing tai chi and I would hope that others would allow him to get on with his stuff in the playground.

Call 101, parks police or safer neighbourhood teams deal with this.

OP didn't mention teens. She said 'grown up men drinking beer', there's a difference. It's illegal in parts of Scotland, Glasgow for example and bylaws in other parts of Scotland whereby the police can stop you drinking in public. Parks are for everyone, playparks are for children.