EXTRA powers are needed to cut anti-social behaviour in a busy town centre, say police.
Officers in Mold say they are having difficulty prosecuting a hardcore of drinkers engaging in anti-social behaviour and said it is often difficult to gather evidence against them.
PC Anthony Butlin said some shoppers are put off coming to the town and wanted to reassure residents that police are doing all they can to deal with the problem.
He said: “We have had a long-standing problem in the Daniel Owen Precinct with drinking and anti-social behaviour. I am aware people are getting frustrated but we are doing something about it.
“We are restricted on what we can do because it is an alcohol control zone which means they are allowed to drink as long as they are not causing trouble.
“We are asking for the whole town centre to become an alcohol-free zone. It is very difficult to get the evidence. If it was an alcohol-free zone we would be able to do
more.”
Last week two people were arrested in the town centre for public order offences.
Mold councillor Haydn Bateman, who represents the town centre, said he was aware of problems in the area.
He said: “I support it. I think it would be a good idea. It would be an improvement to the look of the town centre.”