THE fight against anti-social behaviour has begun for people living in a Worcester neighbourhood.

People who live and work in Lowesmoor have already spoken out about gangs of homeless drunks and drug addicts who gather in doorways, defecate in alleyways and harass passers-by.

Two weeks ago, police, councillors, shopkeepers and residents met to discuss the problem.

Yesterday, a focus group, who have been set up to tackle the issue, met for the first time at Worcester’s Guildhall.

Members praised West Mercia Police for stepping up their presence and Sara Goodman, of the South Worcestershire Community Safety Partnership, unveiled a draft action plan.

Together the group put forward various proposals, including:

• More CCTV cameras.

• Lowesmoor businesses to be part of Worcester’s linked City Net radio system.

• Outreach workers from St Paul’s Hostel to engage with the long-term alcoholics and homeless who cause problems.

• Police to carry on pat-rolling and confiscate alcohol when necessary.

• Worcester City Council’s litter hit squad to visit Lowesmoor.

• Council to check that licensed premises are adhering to conditions – and take action if they are not.

• To cut back trees in Lowesmoor Wharf.

Chief Inspector Jerry Reakes-Williams, who previously admitted that he had not realised how bad the situation was, said there had been 10 recorded crimes since the initial meeting on Monday, November 16, and 58 incidents added to the police log.

“Sometimes we’ll get to an incident 10 or 12 minutes after it has happened and the people involved have moved on,” said Mr Reakes-Williams, who urged people to report crime.

“That’s why we need to know at the time so we can go down there and take alcohol off them or search them for drugs. It doesn’t matter if it’s five times a day, or five times an hour because we need to build a picture of what’s happening.”

The focus group will meet again in January to report back on the progress made.

Lowesmoor is currently awaiting a £75 million regeneration. A new shopping complex, which includes shops, offices, apartments, a car park and a new Asda store, has been approved by city planners and looks set to change the face of the area.