Balclutha's liquor ban area could be extended after police voiced concerns about groups of people drinking in the town.
In a letter to the Clutha District Council presented at its meeting yesterday, Senior Constable Tom Taylor raised concerns about people gathering and drinking near the Balclutha courthouse and in the Cromer St playground, suggesting the liquor ban be extended to include those areas.
The existing liquor ban extends from the Night'n Day store in Essex St to the intersection of Wilson Rd and Clyde St. Other small sections of side streets and public spaces are also included.
The plan was to extend the liquor ban area to the Cromer St playground, Cromer and Yarmouth Sts around the playground, and Paisley St between Renfrew and Lanark Sts.
Snr Const Taylor, who is the alcohol harm reduction officer, said people had been using the steps of the Balclutha courthouse in Paisley St as a place to drink alcohol.
The courthouse was ''just outside'' the liquor ban area, and almost the closest non-liquor ban area to the Hotel South Otago.
Empty bottles had been left in the gutter and on the lawns around the courthouse and noise had increased in the area.
Residents near the Cromer St playground had bottles and cans thrown on to lawns, hedges and footpaths outside their properties.
They were also disturbed by loud noises at night from car engines revving and people shouting and arguing.
Most stated they did not want to make an official complaint for fear of a ''backlash'', Snr Const Taylor said.
''This behaviour has been progressively getting worse [over] the past three years.''
Council planning and regulatory manager David Campbell said police were ''well aware'' the problem could shift to other areas.
However, the council's property department supported extending the liquor ban area, he said.
The extension was not yet a firm proposal, only a request for public submissions.
Councillors approved a recommendation to publicly notify the proposed extension, giving one month for submissions.
