Call for urgent action over Welshpool street drinking
Anti-social drinking on the streets of a town needs to be tackled urgently, councillors said today.
Welshpool Town Council has called on Police and Crime Commissioner Christopher Salmon to impose a People and Places Order.
The commissioner has been also been handed an on-line petition signed by 578 Welshpool residents asking him to call on the chief constable to implement the order to help stop the street drinking culture in the town.
Drinking has become a problem in areas such as Berriew Street Car Park, the canal and Puzzle Square. Councillors said they were frustrated that the council's calls were not being supported by Dyfed Powys Police or Powys County Council.
The online petition had been collated by Councillor Graham Breeze and contained 578 signatures and messages from concerned residents.
Mr Salmon said: "There are strong feelings about antisocial behaviour related to drinking in the streets; views have been forcefully expressed by town councillors and others in person and on the petition.
"I am grateful for the petition. I will discuss the matter with the chief constable and will ask him to let me and townsfolk know how he plans to address residents' concerns.
"Local people understand local issues better than anybody and I want to know how their thoughts are evolving. By speaking to me, the public have a direct say in criminal justice."
Mr Salmon oversees an annual Dyfed-Powys policing fund of around £94 million.
