THERE have been concerns raised about street drinking in Ross-on-Wye.

Police Community Support Officer Lisa Austin told a Ross Town Council meeting that there were particular concerns regarding street drinking on the bench outside Peacocks in Broad Street.

She said there is a risk management plan in place and all incidents and complaints made to the police will be recorded.

This will then be sent to Hereford Police Station where a decision will be made as to what to do next.

PCSO Austin said a criminal banning order could be applied to individuals which would stop them coming into Ross.

Councillors were later asked to consider their response to a county council consultation on the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) alcohol restrictions. 

A PSPO can be used to restrict the consumption of alcohol in a public space and gives the police and other designated officers additional powers within a designated area to tackle street drinking where it is having a detrimental effect to those in the locality. The PSPO does not represent a ban on public alcohol consumption. 

Cllr Jenny Hyde said: "There are still notices in parts of the town where no drinking is allowed. Do any of these things stand anymore?"

Sarah Robson, clerk to the council, said they no longer stand but she investigated further as some of the areas proposed included areas now owned by the town council.

She said: "I wanted to make sure that families at the Ropewalk who were having a picnic could still open a bottle of wine. 

"I have been advised by the services manager at Herefordshire Council that that is not the intention of this. This is to ensure the police have the power to move people on who are behaving in an antisocial way or criminal way. It is not intended for people enjoying a nice quiet drink on a Sunday afternoon."

The consultation for the county runs until October 11. Go to herefordshire.gov.uk