A BOOZE ban in parts of Worcester will move the problem to the scenic riverside, councillors fear.

Councillors are concerned drinkers will move to the riverside after a proposal to arrest drunks in St Clement's Church-yard, St John's, Lichfield Road, Ronkswood, and Tallow Hill Industrial Estate.

Councillor Ian Imray said proposed powers to arrest drinkers in the three areas "missed an opportunity" to extend the ban to the riverside.

Police powers to arrest anyone drinking in public - if they refuse to stop when asked - are already in force in the city centre and at St John's Church.

"All we seem to be doing is chasing the problem, not the source," Coun Imray said at Tuesday's cabinet meeting.

"We have missed an opportunity because last year people were causing a nuisance drinking at the riverside on Hylton Road. It was so bad a police officer rang me up at home to ask me to sort it out.

"We simply displaced the problem and the drinkers went to St Clement's.

"What will happen now? They will simply go back to the riverside because it is a nice place to drink.

"People are frightened to go down to the riverside because there is a perception that there is a problem there.

"It's not a pretty site for visitors in Worcester."

Mr Imray said drunks moved across to St Clement's Church-yard on Henwick Road when they realised a ban was in place at St John's Church in Bromyard Road, St John's.

Councillor Susan Askin said: "Obviously I support this - I welcome any powers that address anti-social behaviour.

"There is a root cause for all this that needs to be addressed throughout the city. I don't know what the answer is - police just follow groups from one area to another."

Leader Coun Stephen Inman said an additional alcohol ban would be considered for the riverside area in good time - but warned against blanket bans.

"There is a danger this will become a big 'shopping list'," he said. "We will approve the three areas discussed and then consider the riverside."

The proposals were approved and will be discussed by the full council on Thursday, March 2.