AN alcohol ban could be imposed in a public place for the first time in West Somerset in a bid to curb anti-social behaviour in one of its prized green spaces. Williton's Memorial Ground has been the scene of alleged binge drinking, drug taking and rowdy behaviour for some months but the problems have escalated in recent weeks, leading at least one resident to claim the area has become little more than a beer garden. Now the police are working with West Somerset Council, the district authority responsible for the designation of booze-free areas, on a possible ban on the consumption of alcohol in the Memorial Ground. Minehead sector commander Inspector Nic Crocker said the council could impose the ban if there was sufficient information to support it. He said that although officers had so far not found people drinking at the ground to be drunk, disorderly or under-age, police patrols would be stepped up following concerns from local residents about the activities of young people. And he said he would be very interested in knowing the views of the community on the possible alcohol ban. "A ban would not preclude a temporary licence being issued for an event but would mean that people drinking in the area would commit an offence which the police could deal with." Inspector Crocker said officers had noticed that the ground had become increasingly popular with young adults as a place to socialise and drink and officers would continue to visit the area on a regular basis. "I would stress that people who want to enjoy the summer sun in the park and meet friends can continue to do so," he said. "What I want to see reduced is any anti-social behaviour which causes alarm or distress to other users of the park." Police believe that anti-social behaviour in the area has been limited up to now and Sergeant Tom Mayberry, who has responsibility for the village's police station, said he and his colleagues had visited the ground a number of times and found those gathering there to be committing no offences. "Clearly there is anti-social behaviour being committed at times and this is a growing problem that needs to be resolved," he said. Sergeant Mayberry said he had spoken with a number of concerned residents and was in contact with Williton Parish Council and the district authority. "We are able to visit the ground frequently but increasingly it is daytime that people are gathering to drink. "A number of people have told me they are worried about youngsters causing damage there but we have no evidence of that at this stage." Three young people arrested in relation to an arson attack on the war memorial shelter at the ground last year received a referral order from the courts for their part in the incident. And Sergeant Mayberry said tracking down the culprits was the result of positive local work by officers, which was continuing throughout Williton. Although the ground is officially open to the public only between 9am and 5pm, police are currently providing 24-hour cover. The issue of an alcohol ban will be discussed at a meeting of the parish council on Monday. Its chairman Cllr Bill Gulliford said although he could not speak for the entire council, he personally believed a ban would be a good idea and could help resolve the current problems. "I am broadly in favour of it." Cllr Gulliford said only last Sunday the ground was strewn with empty cans, bottles and the remains of drug-taking paraphernalia and councillors and the groundsman were faced with having to clear the aftermath on an almost daily basis. "There is evidence that an alcohol ban could work." The district council's community safety officer Peter Hughes said the West Somerset Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership was already working with the youth service and the parish council to address the issues. "We will await the outcome of police consultation (on the alcohol ban) and work with them and and community groups if further action is necessary,"he said. Mr Hughes said designation orders covering specific areas, the implementation of which was the responsibility of the district council, gave police the power to request people to stop drinking in the designated places. "These orders have proved to be successful in other parts of the country," he said. Anyone with views on the possible alcohol ban at the Memorial Ground is asked to write to Sergeant Mayberry at the police station in Williton.