Police plan to force drunks to clean up mess on streets with mops

Cops in the 'English Riviera' town of Torquay in Devon will be kitted out with the cleaning tools to force revellers to wash down shop doorways and alleys... if they spend a late-night penny.

The officers will form part of night teams - crack units designed to curb the rise of alcohol-fuelled violence.

Locals in the English Riviera town of Torquay fear drunks will use the stick ends of mops to attack police or other revellers

But the move has been panned by locals who fear the stick end of the mops may be used as weapons.

They warn of further clashes on the streets of the seaside town - famed for its palm trees and outrageous hotelier Basil Fawlty.

Tourism worker Darren Kent, 24, said today: 'It may seem like a good idea but I can see it being a total nightmare.

'The police have very little control of the streets at night as it is - people hardly take any notice of them.

'Whenever they do end up trying to grab someone for misbehaving it nearly always ends in trouble.

'By handing out mops and buckets they are asking for trouble.

'It only takes one idiot to use the stick part of it to lash out and a policeman or member of the public could be seriously injured.'

Charlotte Young, 22, added: 'It's a really bad idea - some people get really aggressive when they have had a few drinks.

'Lecturing them and handing out sticks will just make things worse.

'If they're worried about the mess, they should invest in more decent toilets in the town.

'There's never anywhere to go unless you can find a 24-hour McDonald's.' 

However, officers are proud of their plan to rid the streets of smelly pools of urine which the council has to clean up on a weekly basis.

Superintendent Chris Singer described the initiative as a form of 'restorative justice' if a person refuses they could be given a penalty notice or arrested.

He said: ;It is a bit tongue-in-cheek but it is a serious message - be responsible for your actions.

'We can't force people to do it but if somebody's drunk and they're causing a nuisance of that nature there are offences committed.

'This is a question really of a sensible approach that is along the lines of restorative justice, you clear it up, take the warning.'

The move follows an attack on booze-fuelled yobs last month by Devon and Cornwall Chief Constable Stephen Otter.

Supt Singer added: 'Some people may think it's a bit of fun to relieve themselves in the street after a night on the town. But it's not.

'For the majority who have to live, work and shop in the area it's not nice after these offenders have left their mess behind.'

The bucket and mop, provided by Torbay Council, will be kept at the harbour side tourist office for use when needed.

A Torbay Council spokeswoman said: 'We enjoy a strong working partnership with the police and, as we are working towards a cleaner, greener Bay, we fully support this police initiative.'