COUNCILLORS in Stourport are to write to West Mercia's Chief Constable to ask for more bobbies on the beat.

The move follows an airing of the issues surrounding spiralling under-age drinking, rowdy antics and vandalism in the town - and particularly the Memorial Park - at Stourport Town Council's annual meeting.

Councillors are also calling for a police officer to put in a regular appearance at their meetings.

During the debate it was alleged there was just one policeman covering the town's population of around 20,000 - however this has been denied by West Mercia Constabulary.

Councillor Dave Little said: "The fault here is the policing of this town. There is a population of 20,000 yet all there is on duty in any one shift is one policeman."

Councillor Roger Green said: "When I came to Stourport in the late 60s there was a chief inspector, two inspectors, four sergeants and more than 20 police constables all covering Stourport."

Mr Green, who is a magistrate, said although he agreed in principle with the idea of an alcohol ban it would be no good if there were not enough police officers to enforce it.

Mr Little referred to an increase in the police precept this year of almost 15 per cent.

He said: "In view of this, we should call for more police to be on duty in Stourport."

Councillor Peter Barrass said youth club provision in Stourport was "well below national standards", contributing to the problems.

Councillor Stephen Clee said: "In light of the 15 per cent increase in precept I think we should write to the Chief Constable and ask him how many new officers we are going to get in Stourport-on-Severn."

Mr Clee added the council should, through the Chief Constable, invite PC Harris to attend the council's meetings.

Councillors unanimously voted through Councillor Clee's proposal.

A spokeswoman for West Mercia Constabulary said there was more than one officer policing Stourport at any one time.

She pointed out that Stourport is policed jointly with Bewdley and between them the two towns have two beat managers, one for Stourport and one for Bewdley, one sergeant covering both towns and between 16-20 police officers based in Stourport and Bewdley on a 24-hour basis.

In addition, in an emergency response, teams are called in from Kidderminster she said.