Fury over drunks using Walsall's war memorial as a toilet

Outraged bus drivers in Walsall have described the area around the First World War monument at Bradford Place as a 'hell hole' and claim up to 10 'drunks' a day loiter there.

They claim in the last six weeks the problem of anti-social behaviour has got much worse, with people spitting, swearing, urinating and collapsing in intoxicated stupors at the £2,000 cenotaph.

On Wednesday a man was pictured lying near the memorial after apparently passing out after a booze binge. He was shamed on social media site Twitter after he was photographed on grass at the site, with a can of cider next to his motionless body.

The memorial is near the main bus stops for the town centre on Bridgeman Street. National Express bus driver Liz Couston said: "It is disgusting, absolutely revolting.

"Ambulances are here two or three times a day tending to people who are drunk and are passed out on the floor. It is a hell hole. People don't like getting on or off the bus here because of the spitting, swearing, the abuse. It is a horrible environment.

"They are being sick and just urinating where they stand."

She added: "It has been going on for the last six weeks. I don't know if they have been moved on from somewhere else. There are at least 10 throughout the day on a typical day but on a bank holiday it is like Shawn of Dead around here.

"It should not be allowed at the memorial of all places. Something needs to be done."

A Walsall Council spokesperson said the authority was working with police to tackle the issue.

He added: "There is currently a borough-wide Designated Public Place Order in place across Walsall in order to assist the police in tackling alcohol-related disorder. Police have the discretion to require people to refrain from consuming alcohol and, where necessary, ask those involved to surrender any alcohol. An offence is committed if those challenged fail to comply with a police officer's request to refrain from drinking and/or surrender their alcohol."

A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: "We understand street drinking is a concern for local people and when we are made aware of a problem in a particular area, our officers will stop individuals, take their details and dispose of their drinks."