A BID to stop people drinking and causing a nuisance in Cavendish Square is not working ... with some locals complaining the reason is the warning signs are too high up.

Some claim the problem is the small signs are put high on lampposts detailing the alcohol control order, which can’t be read, plus a lack of visible police presence in the square.

The designated public place order (DPPO) at the shopping precinct in Park South gives police the power to confiscate alcohol in a public place from those likely to cause trouble.

But people are saying it has had little effect in the three months since it started.

Dorothy Brown, manager of The Shop, in Cavendish Square, said: “The dry zone is not going to have the impact we thought it would.”

However, police in the area said the signs were in keeping with government regulations and that the main offenders are aware of the order but choose to ignore it.

They called on residents to help them compile evidence against individuals responsible.

Cavendish Square was one of two places designated DPPO zones in April along with Faringdon Road Park.

Obtained by the Community Safety Partnership (CSP), it means the police can use their discretion to take alcohol away. Those who refuse to comply with the order can face a penalty notice for £50, or arrest and prosecution with a fine of up to £500.

Ms Brown said: “It’s not working – it’s the size of the signs and where they are.

“They’re out the front drinking and when people have been drinking their behaviour gets a little bit loud and people feel threatened because they’re congregated outside the shops. People are intimidated, you have only got to look at a group of six to eight young people, you just don’t know what to expect.”

Basem Afouneh, from the Ninety-Niner Plus store, said: “The other day it led to fighting outside the cafe.

“It’s shouting, aggression, it does intimidate people, their presence with a drink intimidates people.

“There’s nobody to enforce it, it’s not my job to enforce it.

“I can’t say to people don’t drink here, I’ll get even more abuse.”

Ms Brown added: “We don’t see the police as often as we would like to see them.”

PC Nick Payne, community beat manager for Parks and Walcot, said the issue was a top priority.

He said: “Unfortunately we have had to follow government guidelines with regard to signage, there’s no more we can do.

“I agree that it would be better if the signs were bigger.

“As far as I’m concerned they all know they shouldn’t be doing it, they are well aware of the signs.

“We do enforce it, but obviously we can’t spend every minute down there, that’s the problem.

“We’re on a daily basis going through Cavendish Square. We need local people to cooperate with us.”

Cheri Wright, anti-social behaviour manager for the Community Safety Partnership, said the signs were reasonable in number and were installed in line with health and safety guidelines.She said: “What is having a bigger sign saying the exact same words – I’m not sure of the benefit of that.”

She asked people to log incidents by calling the police on 0845 408 7000 to help officers compile evidence of persistent offenders with a view to imposing anti-social behaviour orders and drinking bans.