Booze ban call to tackle yobs

Calls are being made for an alcohol-free zone in an area of Kidderminster in a bid to crack down on drunken youths who have smashed home and shop windows and vandalised gardens.

Residents and traders in Burcher Green, Comberton, say their lives have been made a misery by the constant threat of yob attacks.

They are now demanding action to stop the problem and are calling on Wyre Forest District Council to make the area an alcohol-free zone.

House and car windows have been smashed in the latest bout of vandal attacks on the area. But problems have occurred over the past few years and include St Chad's Church being scrawled with graffiti and windows smashed.

Missiles have also been hurled at shop windows.

Fences and gardens of homes belonging to residents, many of them elderly, have also been damaged by the drunken louts.

People in the area say the problem is caused by gangs of youths who get adults to buy them alcohol.

And they believe making the area an alcohol-free zone will give police more powers to act and deal with the problem once and for all.

The campaign has been launched by Peter Cooper, who runs community meeting place, the King of Hearts Creative Outreach at the Barrel of Fun store.

Mr Cooper had his own home vandalised and was assaulted by drunken yobs last month. He said: "I have consulted many people in the area and they agree with the idea of making the area an alcohol-free zone," he said.

People are asked to send letters supporting the alcohol ban to The Barrel of Fun, 6 Burcher Green, Comberton, Kidderminster DY10 3AZ.