CCTV cameras could be installed on a street in Bridgnorth to combat anti-social behaviour which is blighting the town, a meeting has heard.

About 40 people turned out to voice their concerns about problems caused by late-night drinking at a meeting in the town last night organised by Shropshire Council.

Sergeant Bob Matthews, of Bridgnorth police, told the meeting installing CCTV in Cartway was one possible next step being considered to reduce disorder.

Councillor Christian Lea, who chaired the meeting at the town hall, said CCTV would be a positive step.

Town centre residents spoke of how their lives were being made a misery by noise, anti-social behaviour and vandalism.

David Richardson, of Cartway, said: “This public meeting has come about because there has been growing anger and frustration by town centre residents and, no doubt, the police about the disruptive effect of late-night drinking has on the surrounding residential streets often until 3am and 4am.

“Licences appear to have been given out to premises, like Boogie Nights and the Crown to serve alcohol until 3am regardless of the impact it will have on the surrounding area, treating the pub in total isolation from its surroundings.

“Even protests from residents are ignored. The problem is not necessarily the way the pubs are run but the saturation of the area around the High Street with 40 to 50 or more of their clientele for which pub managers have no control. It is unacceptable.”

He said the situation was made worse because Bridgnorth had a reputation as a late-night drinking town attracting people from Telford and Wolverhampton, bringing an extra strain on resources for the police.

Mr Richardson described how residents had woken to broken bottles, beer cans, vomit and even urination.

Stewart Bellarby, licensee of the Crown pub in High Street, said people causing problems could be banned from pubs in the Pubwatch scheme.

He said Bridgnorth was a lovely town and he did not think anti-social behaviour was such a big issue.

The meeting, which was also attended by MP Philip Dunne, heard that Boogie Nights, in Listley Street was currently closed.

Tony Mantle, West Mercia police spokesman, said the designated premises supervisor had ‘withdrawn and dissociated himself’ with the club on Monday. This meant the nightclub could not open until an application to vary the name of the supervisor had been submitted and agreed.

By Lisa Rowley