FOLLOWING complaints from town businesses and members of the public, Crediton Town Council is spearheading a call for action to be taken about street drinkers and those causing anti-social behaviour.

Councillors considered the issue at the Town Council’s Community Committee on September 3 after two letters were received, one from a business and the other from a member of the public.

The member of the public spoke about anti-social behaviour the man and his wife and their son received from street drinkers near the bus stop outside Lloyds Bank in Crediton High Street.

He wrote: “There were a group of four making it difficult to pass, one was drinking from a bottle of wine, the other from a tankard, the other from a plastic bottle.

“Whilst they are generally polite, and give way, they can be loud and my wife, in particular, finds this very intimidating.

“They are frequently in the way of people trying to get on and off the bus.

“This has been going on for a long time, with them sitting on the steps of the buildings nearby and, more importantly, preventing others from sitting down on the bench, which - of course - is there primarily for people waiting for a bus. 

“Please can I request that, if possible, you look into this. I’m sure most people in Crediton are aware of this and, to be honest, I’m disappointed that this hasn’t been addressed.”

Chris Nicholl from Charlesworth Nicholl solicitors also wrote to ask what steps can be taken in relation to the “nuisance and noise” being caused outside its office on a daily basis by street drinkers.

Chris explained she had liaised with the police regarding the issue but said that the nuisance continues.

She said the police had informed her that the area is not designated a no drinking area and that their powers are limited.

She asked that the bench be removed, CCTV covers the bench and alley and it is designated a no drinking zone.

The meeting heard that the Town Clerk, Rachel Avery, had arranged a meeting with the Police and Mid Devon District Council to discuss progressing a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO), which can restrict actions by people within a designated area.

The meeting agreed with the decision of the Clerk and agreed that it would be discussed at a future meeting.