A CORE of troublesome alcoholics in Monmouth has prompted the police to call for a booze-free zone in the town centre.

The idea was muted at Monday’s meeting of Monmouthshire County Council’s licensing and regulatory committee, having been requested by Monmouth’s crime and disorder reduction officer as a means to maintain the town’s "clean and healthy image".

Councillors heard how in 2001 the Government introduced new powers for local authorities to restrict anti-social drinking in public places. As a result, consultation is underway into introducing what is known as a Designated Public Places Order in the town centre to reduce nuisance, annoyance and disorder caused to members of the public.

The booze-free zone would cover Chippenham Mead, St Thomas Square, Monnow Street, Agincourt Square, Priory Street, from Dixton Road to the Comprehensive School’s bus entrance and school fields, across to Old Dixton Road and including the riverside skate park and Rowing Club.

Over the past 10 months there have been 178 recorded incidents of anti-social behaviour and crime linked to alcohol consumption by both adults and youths within this area. Analysis indicates that the majority of the incidents occur after 12pm and continue steadily through the evenings until 1am, and to 3am on weekends.

Two-thirds of all incidents occur between 5pm on Friday through to Sunday.

Reporting to the committee, senior licensing officer Samantha Winn wrote: "There is, however, a core of local male adults who are alcoholics and although stringent measures are taken with these individuals, simply taking the alcohol off them is not an option without this order.

Monmouth thrives on tourism and to portray a clean and healthy image of the town is a paramount objective of all the agencies, namely Community Safety Team, town councillors, businesses and the Chamber of Commerce, Monmouth Partnership Forum and licensed premises through Pubwatch, who are all supporting this application."

The order, if made, will give police the power to confiscate alcohol from any adult or young person in circumstances where there is public nuisance, annoyance or disorder associated with the consumption of that alcohol and the persons in question are not drunk enough to be arrested and/or charged.

These powers will be exercised with utmost discretion and only to prevent a likely or perceived anti social behavioural event, it was added.

A dispersal order has already proved successful in dealing with gangs congregating in St Mary’s Churchyard.