IT'S quite correct that police want to make it harder for people to obtain a licence to sell alcohol in Abertillery.

For a number of years they have been dealing with alcohol-fuelled violence as the number of pubs grow and compete against each other to sell the cheapest drink.

Police now say the number of outlets selling booze in Abertillery is growing out of all proportion.

Their resources are stretched, especially at the weekends, and at some times they are "at breaking point".

Asking for a special saturation policy which would limit the amount of new licences being granted is hardly a new idea but it's one we hope Blaenau Gwent council take seriously.

Why should our police officers have to stretch their resourses so much just to cope with those who want to cause trouble after having a drink?

Yes, there will always be a need for police to have a presence in areas where there are high numbers of people drinking.

But not to the extent that officers are unable to do anything else because they are all dealing with drunks.