BOOZE should be banned from the streets of a Suffolk town, it has been claimed today.Residents, councillors and police officers in Hadleigh want to see drinking in public places outlawed to tackle the anti-social behaviour they say is blighting the lives of people in the town.

BOOZE should be banned from the streets of a Suffolk town, it has been claimed today.

Residents, councillors and police officers in Hadleigh want to see drinking in public places outlawed to tackle the anti-social behaviour they say is blighting the lives of people in the town.

In fact Hadleigh Town Council has now set up a petition which it plans to present to Babergh District Council next month asking for the changes.

Brian Riley, Babergh councillor for north Hadleigh, said the move was needed to reclaim the streets of Hadleigh from youths who drink in public spaces, creating an intimidating atmosphere.

He said: “The streets belong to the people of Hadleigh and we need to take them back.

“At the moment we have youth alienation where people are apprehensive about going out in the streets.

“The tolerance levels of people in the town have been pushed which raises the question of alcohol on the streets.

“You don't need alcohol to enjoy yourselves so I think this is a good idea.”

The suggestions for Hadleigh follow similar proposals to ban alcohol in public places in Ipswich which is currently undergoing a public consultation into plans to create booze-free zones in the borough.

Hadleigh-based Sergeant Alice Robertson said: “A ban is something we would welcome.

“It would be an important tool in tackling anti-social behaviour.

“We would need it not just to be in force in the town centre but also a mile or two-mile radius from there to extend to the parks because people have been harassed in the parks and that is where a lot of the drinking takes place.”

Paul Little, Babergh District Council's community safety manager, said: “To date, Babergh has not received any formal proposals, from the police or anyone else, for the banning of the consumption of alcohol in Hadleigh.

“We are not against the idea in principal but there would need to be clear evidence that it would have an impact on the issues in Hadleigh.

“Babergh already works closely with the police in addressing anti-social behaviour as in the case of the three recently imposed ASBOs (Anti-social behaviour order).”

n. Do you think there should be a booze ban? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or email eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk

To support Hadleigh Town Council's petition contact the council on 01473 823884 or visit www.hadleightowncouncil.co.uk.