SENIOR police officers have made a personal plea to the town council to rethink its opposition to the introduction of new laws banning outdoor drinking in the centre of Upton.

Insp Neville Sheldrick, beat manager Sgt Robert Werner De Sondberg and divisional licensing officer Sgt Peter Hughes told the council at its meeting on Tuesday night (November 19) that the new laws are needed.

Police have already asked Malvern Hills District Council to carry out a consultation exercise with a view to declaring the centre of Upton an alcohol-free zone, following regular weekend drink-related disorder problems over summer.

At its October meeting, the town council voiced opposition to any such move, fearing it would damage the trade at local pubs.

However, councillors heard on Tuesday night that police are powerless to pre- empt drink-related disorder because of gaps in the law.

Officers cannot confiscate drink from minors if it is unopened or intervene in drunken behaviour until an offence is committed, or the drinker becomes "incapable".

Sgt Hughes stressed the new law would make "continuing to drink alcohol after being told not to by an officer" an offence, giving officers discretion to leave law-abiding drinkers alone while tackling problems with under-age drinkers and rowdy behaviour.

Assurances were also given that any ban would not affect outside seating on land owned by a pub. However, special permission would have to be granted to allow drinkers to sit out on pavement seats.

Having discussed the issue at last month's meeting, council rules prevent members from talking it over again unless five of them approach the town clerk with a written request to do so at least nine days prior to a meeting.