PCSO Lisa Austin agreed with Councillor Phil Cutter about the need for more police officers, when they were talking about recent issues of public safety and anti-social behaviour in Ross-on-Wye. The Support Officer was answering questions from the Town Councillors at their meeting on Monday, September 11th.

PCSO Austin said that the police need more manpower but with more cutbacks imminent this is unlikely. She said the most important thing is for residents to report instances of anti-social behaviour, such as street drinking or acting like ‘boy racers’ as a unit will be deployed if possible.

Councillor Cutter added that there had been a number of thefts from work vehicles and people were losing their livelihoods. He said he thinks the police do a very good job and intended no criticism of the officers but “they needed more bodies on the ground to get a handle on matters.”

PCSO Austin told the Councillors that there is a plan in place for dealing with the problems of street drinking by a group which meets on the bench outside Peacocks in Broad Street.

She said all incidents and complaints made to the police are recorded and a decision will be made at Hereford Police Station about what to do next.

PCSO Austin said that a criminal banning order could be applied to individuals which would stop them coming into Ross.

Councillor David Ravenscroft asked if people drinking in the street could be issued with on the spot fines. PCSO Austin said that the police did not have the power to issue on the spot fines but they could ask for alcohol to be poured away and sealed containers can be seized.

The issue of people drinking in public spaces was considered by the Councillors later in their meeting. They had been asked to respond to a county council consultation on the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) alcohol restrictions.

A PSPO can be used to restrict the consumption of alcohol in a public space and gives the police and other designated officers additional powers, within a designated area, to tackle street drinking, where it is having a detrimental effect to those in the locality. The PSPO does not represent a ban on public alcohol consumption. The Clerk said she had checked this aspect because some of the areas proposed included areas now owned by the Town Council.

She said I was worried it could include officers removing a bottle of wine from people picnicking by the river and listening to the bands in the park.

Cllr Jenny Hyde said that she remembered when Mary Dew was Mayor and notices were put up around the town saying no drinking allowed. She asked if these were still in effect.

The clerk said they no longer stand and added:?“I have been advised by the services manager at Herefordshire Council that this is to ensure the police have the power to move people on who are behaving in an antisocial way or criminal way. It is not intended for people enjoying a nice quiet drink on a Sunday afternoon.”

The consultation for the county runs until October 11th, visit the council website at herefordshire.gov.uk for more information.