A petition to make Deal High Street an alcohol free zone has been put forward after daytime drinking outside St George’s Church has spiralled out of control.

Drunks who frequent the benches by the church are making life difficult for the shop owners opposite.

The stores are being forced to close their doors to drown out the bad language and troublemakers have been urinating in the churchyard.

The businesses and other residents have now called on the police and Dover District Council to take action.

Jason Down, from Allsorts tool shop, said: “There are about four or five of them that sit out there drinking in the daytime. They get quite abusive. It’s just not something people want.

“Considering Deal a few years ago was High Street of the Year, I feel it could have a big effect on the town.

“We’ve got PCSOs who move them on but we need more action.”

A woman from another shop said: “It’s very intimidating. I have locked myself in the shop before. They are drinking, swearing and shouting.

“If we have our door open, we can hear them.

“These last few months it’s got worse. They are shouting at people as they walk by.”

She added: “We do ring the PCSOs and if they’re about they do come down straight away but I just don’t think we’ve got enough of them. Something needs to be done.”

Susan Birch said: “It’s an absolute disgrace. They sit on the benches all day sometimes. They urinate inside the church yard.

“There is one in particular. I had my seven-year-old granddaughter with me and he said something to her. It really upset me and it affected her. It was really unpleasant.”

Kent county councillor Mike Eddy saw the problem for himself when he arrived at Deal Town Hall for a meeting on Tuesday last week.

Working with former councillor Bryan Henderson, he has put together a petition calling for the police and district council’s anti-social behaviour unit to put up “no drinking” signs in the town centre, streets and open spaces, especially churchyards.

Mr Henderson collected 100 signatures within four hours on Saturday, and it was handed to the district council by Cllr Eddy on Monday.

Cllr Eddy said: “It’s a small number that we’re dealing with around the town hall and St George’s Church, but it’s causing concern and worry to shopkeepers, their customers and people going around the High Street.”

A police spokesman said: “There has been a slight increase in anti-social behaviour caused by a group of young people over the past month. However, police have identified those involved and are working with them and their families to resolve the issue.”

Cllr Eddy said: “We need to request that the police continue with their efforts. It’s not just working with the families but working with the adults. There have to be programmes of assistance put in place.”

It is hoped the petition will be on the agenda at the next district council community and regeneration scrutiny meeting.

Cllr Eddy will pass a copy of the petition to the police.