Police will be given new powers to stop people drinking in the street anywhere in Merton under a new by-law.

Today, Merton Council launched a formal consultation into a borough-wide controlled drinking zone (CDZ), currently in force in Mitcham and Wimbledon town centre.

A CDZ allows the police to confiscate alcohol at their discretion in a bid to curb anti-social behaviour caused by street drinking.

Councillor David Simpson, Merton Conservatives’ crime prevention spokesman, welcomed the proposals after they were unanimously recommended by members of the council’s licensing committee in November 2012.

Coun Simpson said: “The Labour council has been unwilling to listen to residents who have problems with street drinking in areas such as south Wimbledon, Colliers Wood and Morden.

In November, council leader Stephen Alambritis said it would be simpler and more cost-effective to have a single CDZ rather than to keep consulting Wimbledon and Mitcham residents separately.

He said: "By going borough wide we will be offering residents what is already on offer in Islington, Newham, Brent and Camden."

The cost of implementing and consulting on the proposed CDZ has been estimated at between £20,000 to £30,000.

The consultation ends on April 1 and can be viewed online at consult.merton.gov.uk.

Do you support a borough-wide controlled drinking zone? Leave a comment below, tweet @WimbledonNews or email: newsdesk@wimbledonguardian.co.uk.