New by-laws are being demanded to help stop youths drinking alcohol in the grounds of Holy Trinity Church, Skipton.

But a plea by the Parochial Church Council for immediate action on the problem has been rejected by Craven District Council.

Members of its policy and resources committee wanted to know first how the proposed laws could be enforced. They also call for research to see if a list of prohibited areas was needed or if the suggested changes should apply just to the church grounds.

If the by-laws are passed it could mean a ban on anyone drinking alcohol in designated public places.

Insp Chris Chelton, of Skipton Police, told councillors his officers had moved people on and occasionally confiscated alcohol after complaints about youths drinking in the churchyard and in the Castle grounds.

He said the main problem was at weekends, when bottles were broken as people walked between pubs. A by-law to curb this may prove difficult to enforce at first but could help once people realised it existed.

No-one at the PCC wanted to comment.

Members of the policy and resources committee warned that laws relating only to certain places may simply shift the problem to other areas.

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