A businessman has started a petition to clamp down on a rise in anti-social behaviour in the town centre.

Milan Patel of Fairfield, is concerned an increase in street drinking has caused a rise in anti-social behaviour in his area.

Anti-social behaviour in Croydon has decreased over the past year, but Fairfield ward has a higher average of incidents compared to other areas in the borough.

Mr Patel, a stockbroker, is calling on the Council and police to work together to reduce drunken behaviour in the area bordered by Lansdowne Road, Dingwall Road, St James' Road, George Street and Wellesley Road.

There are currently no-drinking zones in place in these areas.

More than 270 people have signed the petition and Mr Patel is expecting hundreds of more signatures when businesses in the area return their copies of the form.

The 49-year-old is urging Croydon Council to review alcohol licenses given to small shops which he believes encourage daily drinking.

He said he wants to see more enforcement of the no-drinking zone including a higher police presence in the area.

Mr Patel said: "By and large this is a very peaceful patch and is a good area to live in. But suddenly, over the last couple of years, there has been a significant increase in anti-social behaviour.

"It is something which needs to be cracked down on. The petition is going really well and I have yet to collect the forms back from the big businesses. I hope over a thousand people will sign it.

A police spokesman said officers are keen to prevent the area from becoming an anti-social behaviour hotspot.

He said: "Over the course of this summer we are carrying out an operation targeting antisocial behaviour in the borough, with part of this focusing in and around the town centre area and the issues of street drinking and begging.

"We will be working with partners, including Croydon Council, Croydon BID and the Westminster Drugs Project who are also supporting us with this operation."