Ludlow town centre could be an official alcohol free zone by this weekend, with offenders risking £500 fines if they don’t comply.
Signs are due to be erected in visible places in the town centre, warning people that the police may ask them not to drink alcohol or to hand over any alcohol they have on them.
PC for Ludlow Town, Tony Sewell, told the Journal: “As soon as the signs are up, we will start enforcing the areas. We can’t enforce it without the signs. We are hoping to start this weekend if we can. I am hoping it will stop the problems caused by anti-social behaviour through alcohol in the areas that have been highlighted as problem places.”
If people refuse to obey the signs, they can be arrested and, if convicted, be fined up to £500. PC Sewell added: “We have been pushing for this three years. There are problems areas and it’s a tool we can use, everyone’s entitled to their peace and quiet and it’s something we can do to help.
“The fines will hopefully get people to understand the problems they are causing.”
District councillor for the town centre, Martin Taylor-Smith said: “People in the town centre have been calling for this and it is an effort by the council to clamp down on anti-social behaviour.
“I recently spotted someone throwing up in the doorway of the Cats Protection League charity shop with their friends looking on. The police could do nothing about this except move the people on.”
Community support officers and police will be enforcing the message on the signs which will appear in areas such as Castle Gardens, and by St Laurence’s and St Leonard’s Churches.
