DRINKERS could be banned from consuming alcohol on a town centre's streets within months, writes Rebecca Smith.

Wantage is hoping to follow Faringdon, which is bringing in new bylaws on March 6, making it an offence to continue drinking in certain streets, parks and car parks in the town after a warning from police.

The alcohol can be confiscated and offenders face fines of up to £500.

Plans are in place for a similar scheme in Wantage which would cover the streets in the town centre, car parks, public parks and the cemetery. Vale of White Horse District Council solicitor David Quayle said: "The law should be up and running in about three months."

Mike Williams, chairman of Wantage Pub Watch said: "I don't agree with drinking on the streets anyway. It is not the image we want in Wantage."

Insp Stewart Haveron said: "We want to impact upon those whose alcohol abuse is accompanied by anti-social behaviour."

Story date: Friday 25 February

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