RESIDENTS in Chard should find it harder to hit the bottle over the summer months as police are cracking down on street drinking. 

Officers patrolling Chard have received confirmation that the Designated Public Protection Order issued in 2003 , which covers the consumption of alcohol in a specified area of the town, is still valid and enforceable.

There have been complaints about anti-social behaviour in the town centre including the consumption of alcohol involving a small minority of people.

Neighbourhood officers have been in the town today (July 4) informing people about the order and warning any breach could result in police action.

All businesses and licensed premises in the affected areas have been advised.

PC Al Hollick said: “I hope the Chard Community feel reassured that we take incidents of anti-social behaviour seriously and will act appropriately to reports.

Members of the public are urged to report cases of street drinking of alcohol.”

All town centre streets, car parks and recreational areas are covered by the order and signs have been posted around the town providing information.