THE Wild West booze culture is making late night town centre life a misery in the Forest of Dean.
The only thing missing in Cinderford, Coleford and Lydney last Saturday night was the tumbleweed.
But police say it is all set to change. The rowdy, beer-swilling modern-day cowboys who like to finish off a night out with a punch-up are going to be run out of town —- to be precise, to Cheltenham.
•At Cinderford a gang of youngsters, some as young as 12, have been causing town centre mayhem. After a period of calm the youngsters have gathered again and caused a string of problems mostly related to vandalism.
Inspector David Pickstock said the majority of the problems were drink related and youngsters as young as 12 had been found under the influence as a result of drink provided by older teenagers.
"In the past we have spoken to their parents but that is to end. In future we will make arrests and take them to a police station. With the cells at Gloucester being refurbished it will mean parents will have to travel to Cheltenham to pick up their offspring," he said.
•At Lydney five people were arrested in Newerne Street following two serious public order incidents. A man and a woman were allegedly assaulted.
"Investigations are continuing and there may well be more arrests. We are not going to tolerate this sort of behaviour," said Sgt John Bevan.
•At Coleford business owners have regularly complained about mess left behind as late night drinkers leave the town.
In a letter to the Review last week a businessman wrote: "The shopkeepers and residents of Coleford are fed up with having to wade through vomit, urine and excrement and discarded empty takeaway cartons when they try to go about their lawful daily tasks."
The Forest of Dean Substance Action Group runs its annual alcohol awareness week from next Monday. Its theme will be to promote sensible drinking.
The group points out that locally research has revealed 35 per cent of all arrests are caused by drink. They say one in four acute hospital admissions is related to alcohol which is also a factor in 65 per cent of suicide attempts.
In the Forest drink plays a part in 40 per cent of domestic violence incidents and a third of all child abuse cases.