A councillor has said he hopes police can take a “more robust stance” to street drinking in Woolston.

It comes after Southampton City Council launched a consultation to reintroduce street drinking controls for another three years.

The measures would form part of a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) and would include measures to address aggressive begging and drug misuse.

In a statement, Cllr Warwick Payne said street drinking had deterred people from visiting the Millennium Garden, which honours Woolston’s maritime heritage, believing additional police powers could make more people feel safe.

He said: “When it comes to Woolston one of the main problems we’ve encountered is street drinking in the Millennium Garden.

Cllr Warwick PayneCllr Warwick Payne (Supplied)READ MORE: Air ambulance attends incident in Palmerston Park

“It deters people from visiting and it should be remembered that it’s maintained by volunteers, and they shouldn’t have to put up with the waste that’s left behind, and feeling intimidated when the drinkers are there.

“The volunteers have asked if more can be done and by giving additional powers to the police, hopefully officers can take a more robust stance on street drinking and ensure the Millennium Garden is a place where everyone feels safe and welcome.”

Areas previously covered by PSPOs to tackle antisocial behaviour include parts of the city centre, Woolston, Bitterne, Portswood, and Shirley.

The public consultation is open until Friday, July 11.