A Melksham landlord has called for the introduction of alcohol banning orders in the Market Place, after 20 youths were involved in a major disturbance on Sunday.

Police were called in the early hours of the morning following reports of people smashing windows, drinking in the street and climbing on the bus shelter.

Town Centre beat manager PC Kane Fulbrook-Smith said: “They went on the rampage for a good half an hour.

“The police and NPT will be looking to step up patrols to try and reduce crime and alcohol-related incidents.

“We are building up to the World Cup when many licensed premises will be showing the England matches, and it would be a great shame for this sort of behaviour to influence early closures.

“We don’t mind people going out having a drink to enjoy themselves, but people need to have respect for property that doesn’t belong to them, and have consideration for residents and businesses.”

The landlord of a pub in the Market Place, who did not wish to be named, said late-night disorder had become a regular problem.

He said: “It’s not just the weekends, but during the week as well. You have youngsters in the bus shelter, or sitting in cars and under the archway by the Town Hall. They play music late into the night.

“It’s okay the police coming round in the day, but there doesn’t seem to be any police presence on Saturday or Sunday mornings, when late-night places are kicking out.

“Better CCTV would make a difference, as would a ban on alcohol in the street. I think that would sort out a lot of the disorder, as the kids in the bus stop aren’t old enough to go into licenced premises and get their drink elsewhere.

“It’s only going to get worse in the summer.”

In November, Trowbridge was chosen for a six-month pilot for Drink Banning Orders, which has seen persistent drunken offenders barred from town centre pubs.