AN ALCOHOL banning zone could be put in place in a hot spot for under-age drinkers. North Hertfordshire District Council is considering implementing the zone on Windmill Hill in Hitchin following increasing public concern about drinking and gathering in t

AN ALCOHOL banning zone could be put in place in a hot spot for under-age drinkers.

North Hertfordshire District Council is considering implementing the zone on Windmill Hill in Hitchin following increasing public concern about drinking and gathering in the area.

However a local police inspector said that the zone would not necessarily benefit his team. Insp Steve Mann said the police have strong enough powers to allow them to clamp down on under-age drinking.

He said: "I am aware of the benefits of alcohol banning zones, however a banning zone would not assist me and my team in policing the current issues on Windmill Hill with under-age drinking."

Recent problems on the hill include reported cases of under-age drinking and a small number of arrests for cannabis possession.

The police have been running regular operations and have issued approximately 300 stop and account forms to young people on the hill.

Where alcohol has been confiscated from someone suspected of being under-age, a letter has been sent to the parents of the youth explaining that this had taken place.