Craven Arms booze ban in further delays

New measures allowing police to confiscate booze from people causing a nuisance in a south Shropshire town plagued by anti-social behaviour have been delayed a further three months.

Councillors, police, traders and residents in Craven Arms had hoped the ban would be in force by Christmas to help combat incidents of vandalism at the town's railway station and playing fields.

But Shropshire Council officials have struggled to locate the owners of 23 parcels of land around the town to consult with them on the plans.

A four-week consultation period is due to start imminently but Clive Leworthy, chairman of Craven Arms Town Council, said any alcohol enforcement order would now not be in place until March at the earliest.

David Edwards, head of county public protection at Shropshire Council, said: "Plans to introduce designated public places in Craven Arms are still progressing, but due to the order being proposed for the whole town it is taking some time to consult with the various landowners involved."

He added: "The consultation period will last until the end of February. The orders will then be considered by a multi-agency committee."

The town has been hit by a number of incidents of disorder recently, including a brawl at the Craven Arms Hotel on New Year's Eve.