A campaign calling for street drinking to be banned in South Woodford due to “horrendous” behaviour has received widespread support.

The petition, launched two weeks ago by the Church End Conservative Action Team, has been signed by about 300 people.

Campaigners want George Lane, High Street and surrounding streets to be a designated

Controlled Drinking Zone, which would give police powers to confiscate alcohol.

They claim residents and commuters are suffering abuse, as well as other anti-social behaviour.

The petition was launched following an online survey, which revealed the problem was people’s main concern in Church End ward. 

Campaigners Joel Herga, 21, Emma Best, 21 and Tom McLaren, 39, also claim concerns raised during meetings with councillors were not taken seriously.

Emma Best said: “While the council have supported residents over problem venues like Funkymojoe, alcohol-related anti-social behaviour is a much broader issue for local residents.

“The stories we’ve heard from residents near Churchfield’s are particularly horrendous.

"Seens of people drinking outside the local primary school during the day, drunks abusing commuters on their way home, and used needles being found on the street, are just a few that come to mind.”

Joel Herga said: “The overwhelming public support we have had since we brought this idea to the table proves just how much this would mean to the people of South Woodford and those in surrounding areas.”

Responding to the claim that councillors have failed to act, Cllr Richard Hoskins said: "Councillors  from all parties have worked together to counter problems caused by drinking in South Woodford, something the Church End Conservatives would be aware of if they know the South Woodford area.

"At first glance a street drinking ban seems an easy solution. But the Borough Police Commander, Sue Williams and the chairman of the Borough Licensing committee, Cllr Ruth Clark, say they don't work.

"We raised the question of a drinking ban with the Borough Commander at a recent meeting of the Borough's Town Centres Working Party.

"The Borough commander’s response was that street drinking bans did not work because the police did not have the resources to enforce them."

Cllr Hoskins added he proposed a ban on the sale of single cans, which he said has curbed street drinking elsewhere.

South Woodford has already been designated as a Cumulative Impact Zone, which imposes strict condition on licencing applications, due to concern about disruption caused by the area's many bars.

The action group needs to collect 8,000 signatures for the issue to be debated by Redbridge Council.