PROPOSALS to ban drinking in parts of Abergavenny town centre are being put forward to help combat the growing problem of anti-social behaviour.

Gwent Police are putting together a plan that would see an alcohol ban in areas including Cross Street, Monk Street, Linda Vista Gardens and Bailey Park to tackle problems with youths congregating and under-age drinking.

In the 12 months between July 2007 and 2008 police had 130 recorded incidents with drinking in the town.

The Designated Public Places Order would allow officers to confiscate alcohol from any young person or adult drinking in a public place.

They could also issue a fixed penalty notice of £50, fine of up to £500 or arrest someone for resisting or causing a nuisance.

The proposal, which was first put forward to Monmouthshire Council by police in July, has been out to consultation and the council’s principal licensing officer Linda O’Gorman said that the order is expected to be in place in the next few weeks.

She said: "We’ve spoken to homeowners and licensees in the areas and have had no detrimental feedback to the proposals."

PC Andy Charles of Abergavenny Police said the order would replace a dispersal order that currently allows officers to remove groups of youths from various parts of town.

He added: "It would be permanent and would allow us to take alcohol from someone we have reason to believe would drink in the street.

"Pub beer gardens would be exempt as would the Abergavenny Food Festival and other outdoor events, as we have freedom to allow drinking in the street for 10 days a year."

Abergavenny Chamber of Trade president Susi Cernoch fears the plan could simply move drinkers to areas not covered by the order and proposed the whole town be covered by it.