BOOZE could be banned in Barnards Green in a bid to eliminate large groups gathering, drinking and being abusive to members of the public.

On Tuesday evening (April 28) Malvern Hills District Council’s executive committee will consider a recommendation to introduce an alcohol consumption order on the area.

The order would effectively ban alcohol from being drunk in public there, giving police officers the power to confiscate alcohol from anyone found flouting the regulations.

Failure to comply with police requests would be a criminal offence.

The idea was first put to MHDC last year after traders approached Cllr Caroline Bovey, one of Malvern Town Council’s local ward members.

The town council remains supportive of the move while the police have officially requested that MHDC introduce the order.

Local trader Andrew Brookes, who runs The Cheese Board, believes banishing booze would have a positive effect on the area.

“At night and also at certain times during the day we do get a lot of gangs sat around drinking and being abusive,” he said. “They tend to sit in the bus shelters and on the planters and benches and it does not project a very welcoming image for people visiting or coming to shop in the area.

“One of the bus shelters is right outside the toy shop where there are parents with young children going in and out and it does not make them feel particularly safe. There are also a lot of elderly people in the area and it can be very intimidating for them.”

District councillor Phil Grove, responsible for community safety, said: “We are all determined to ensure our residents live within safe and vibrant communities and it is hoped that this order will not only reduce the fear of alcohol related anti-social behaviour and crime, but also enhance the area for the people who live and work there."

PC Stephen Smith, Local Police Officer for the Chase Ward, said alcohol-free zones had proved a big success in other areas.

“They allow police community support officers to seize any alcohol consumed in the area at any time of the day or night,” he said. “This can dramatically reduce reports of anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and leaves the community a lot happier and reassured that the police have the powers to act and will use those powers wherever necessary.”