THE number of people caught drinking alcohol on the streets of Biggleswade is rising again and police are hitting the offenders hard in the pocket. Recently, several people have been given fixed penalty tickets for breaking the alcohol-free zone law in th

THE number of people caught drinking alcohol on the streets of Biggleswade is rising again and police are hitting the offenders hard in the pocket.

Recently, several people have been given fixed penalty tickets for breaking the alcohol-free zone law in the town.

When the streets of Biggleswade were made alcohol free almost two years ago many people fell foul of the new law and were given £40 fines.

During the World Cup several people were given similar penalties by police officers as they stepped up patrols to make sure Biggleswade's streets remained free from people consuming booze.

And since the competition finished the heat has made drinking at night in Biggleswade's pubs especially in the town centre even more popular and more tickets have been given to late nigh revellers who insist on drinking in public.

"We had a quiet spell and things started picking up again during the World Cup and a few people were ticketed," said Bigglswade community officer Pc Ian Wilson.

"People just forget about Biggleswade being an alcohol free zone after they had had a couple of drinks.

"More people have been going out at night during the very hot weather and some have made the mistake of drinking from a can of alcohol while walking on the streets.

"We just want to get the message out and refresh everyone's memory that getting caught on the streets drinking alcohol can been expensive mistake.

"Our advice to people who want a drink is to do it in a pub or at home. It is cheaper than getting caught by a police officer on the street.