BETWEEN 60 and 70 per cent of police time is spent dealing with yobbish behaviour in and around Bromsgrove, it has been revealed.

Those mainly responsible are males and females between the ages of 14 and 18-years-old. The information came to light after interviews with various bodies including local police and council officers. Now the Labour group on Bromsgrove District Council is calling for an anti-social behaviour team to be formed to monitor the problem.

Councillor Peter McDonald (Lab/Rubery) said: “We want the alcohol-free zones to be looked at too, with a view to drawing up an overall policy. At the moment it depends on where you live.”

Cllr McDonald said Rubery has an AFZ covering its parks, the whole of Alvechurch is alcohol-free, but Charford had been turned down. “We have now got a fast-track system where it should not take long to get an alcohol-free zone in place, but I believe the whole of Bromsgrove district should be alcohol-free. People who want to drink on our streets and parks should have to prove their case, rather than at present, where the residents have to put up a case for the banning of alcohol. Drinking should be at home or on licensed premises.”

The report is now to be handed to the leader of the Tory-run council, Roger Hollingworth.

Cllr McDonald added: “This is in no way a political issue. We have asked Cllr Hollingworth if it can be discussed at the next cabinet meeting and hope the issues will be properly considered. All parties need to work together to reduce anti-social behaviour for the benefit of the community.”