POLICE are set to bring back an order to crack down on problem drinkers in Dorchester during the summer.

Inspector Les Fry of Dorchester Police said a Section 30 order could be brought in to give police extra powers to deal with anti-social drinking in public places.

He said: "We get more complaints in the summer about people causing a problem through drinking and behaving in an anti-social manner.

"It has started again with the good weather we've had recently. We had a Section 30 order in place last year to cover the town centre and we are considering doing that again."

The order lasts six months and evidence is studied afterwards to decide whether to have another one in place.

The new order would cover an area that includes drink nuisance hotspots such as the town walks and the Borough Gardens.

Insp Fry said the order would mean that people would be moved on if they gathered and behaved in an anti-social manner. That could apply to people who become intimidating or anti-social through excess drinking and to others such as boy racers - who congregate and cause problems.

Insp Fry said: "We are considering having another Section 30 order in the town. It's a useful tool for the police to deal with problems and does not affect people who are enjoying a drink with a picnic in the Borough Gardens, for example."

He said the police were also talking to other agencies such as Magna Housing, West Dorset District Council and the Hub to prevent problems.