Despite the new Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) coming into force on July 3rd allowing police officers to take action against people who drink alcohol on the streets of Ross-on-Wye, the rules are unlikely to be enforced as signage informing people about these rules has not been put up.

Town Councillors were informed at their recent meeting on Monday, July 8th that the police cannot act without the signage being in place. They understand that Herefordshire Council is obtaining quotes for permanent signs but they are looking to put up temporary signs explaining that people drinking alcohol could face a fixed penalty notice of £100 for antisocial behaviour.

The PSPO for alcohol consumption gives the police, and other designated officers, additional powers within the designated areas to tackle street drinking where it is having a detrimental effect to those in the locality, it is not a outright ban on alcohol.

Complaints about groups of people drinking cans of alcohol in the street have been increasing in recent weeks. Many local residents and traders have contacted the Ross Gazette asking why the police officers or PCSOs do not take action to remove the drinks from people, or at least give them a warning that they can take this action. Unfortunately, despite a belief that the new PSPO for Ross-on-Wye had been finalised last year, the Ross Gazette discovered that this was not the case. The Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) was due to become effective on April 21st, 2018, but it appeared that several areas in Ross which needed to be included on the map designating the areas had not been.