Police in Wantage have been given the power to stop people drinking on town centre streets, writes Tim Hughes.

New by-laws introduced this week make it illegal to continue drinking alcohol outdoors in Wantage town centre after a warning from officers.

The measures are designed to make the town a safer place for families, and have won the backing of traders, councillors and the police. The Vale of White Horse District Council by-laws will allow the police to confiscate alcohol from revellers in the Market Place and surrounding streets and car parks if officers believe drinkers' behaviour is threatening other people. The legislation will come into full effect following the installation of new signs, which will go up within the next week.

Similar measures were adopted in Faringdon earlier this year and have been hailed a success. Insp Stewart Haveron, of Wantage police, said: "There is a growing recognition of the link between all sorts of crime and alcohol abuse. This includes the most serious violent and property offences as well as drink-driving and vandalism.

"We don't want to be seen as party-poopers and I will expect my officers to enforce this law sensitively." Oxfordshire county and Vale of White Horse district councillor Jim Moley said: "Some people, especially the elderly, can feel quite threatened when they come across large groups of people drinking, even if those drinkers are not breaking the law.

People are interested in security in the town centre, and we are happy that the police will exercise the appropriate discretion."

The chairman of the Wantage Chamber of Commerce, Graham Broadley, said: "We welcome this and are sure it will help the police. It will stop people wandering around drinking and help tidy up the town."

Town Mayor Jenny Hannaby said: "The police need all the powers they can get. This will enable them to do their job and I look forward to it being implemented."