THE boss of a local security firm has made a suggestion for helping reduce anti-social behaviour in Ross-on-Wye. He believes that having two or three street marshals on duty in the town on a Friday or Saturday night could reduce anti-social behaviour, allowing the police to concentrate on more demanding issues.Tony Davies, managing director of Caple Security Services has written to Ross Town Council suggesting that trained and licensed civilian staff could act as street marshals, alongside the police.

Mr Davies said that the marshals would be selected from experienced individuals who will have a SIA license and a First Aid qualification. Their role would be to help keep pub and club-goers safe, provide a deterrent to public disorder, assist door staff and the police.

Councillor Andrew Atkinson told Ross Town Council that he had been asked to raise the issue and he had brought it forward but it needed a lot of investigation, especially costs.

Councillor Phil Cutter said that the firm is looking for a commercial opportunity but they still needed to consider it. He said:?"The police may not be happy but we have to look at what is right for the town, the idea should not just be dismissed."

The Mayor, Councillor David Ravenscroft said: "I would prefer to have the police, not private individuals, patrolling the town, I would like to get the police' opinion on this.

Cllr Cutter added:?"We do not have to support it but we have to explore it."

Cllr Ravenscroft suggested that the Town Council Police Liaison committee should approach Inspector Gebbie to discuss it.

The Ross Gazette asked Mr Davies for more details about the scheme and he said that he envisaged a trial project to see how it worked involving two people on Thursday, Friday or Saturday nights.

He said it would be good for the town and good for visitors as it would make their visits, especially at weekends in the evenings more pleasant. He told the Gazette that the marshals would work alongside the police, they would have radio contact with the police and there would be regular meetings between marshals and police.

Mr Davies said that there are similar schemes running in Truro and Yorkshire which take the pressure off the police.

When the Gazette asked how the scheme would be financed Mr Davies said that other projects are financed by the council, the police and businesses could act as sponsors. He added:?"This is just a suggestion but I think it is something which could be beneficial to Ross."

For more stories in full please see this week's Ross Gazette.