A WEYMOUTH hotelier has said he feels he is “under siege” due to antisocial behaviour on the Esplanade.

Chris Reay, co-owner of Weymouth Beach B&B, said he is plagued by noise as a result of street drinkers congregating in seafront shelters.

Last week, Dorset Police launched a crackdown on the problems caused by drinking on the Esplanade.

They issued three warning letters to individuals who cause frequent trouble, which will allow police to take action if the behaviour continues.

A 46-year-old woman from Dorchester was arrested as part of the operation and charged with failure to comply with a Section 35 dispersal notice and possession of a class B drug.

Mr Reay said the police operation “made a difference”, but was sceptical as to its long-term impact.

He added: “We feel a bit as if we are under siege. The police ran that campaign and it was bliss; they were moved very quickly.

“The whole atmosphere on the Esplanade was different, but it was almost as if they had their watches synchronised to when the project finished.”

Mr Reay added that online reviews were beginning to mention the problem.

Alison Weller, chairman of the Weymouth Hoteliers, Guest Houses and Leaseholders Association, said: “Most of our members feel like this does affect their business because it is an unsavoury thing to see.

“We are all at the mercy of reviews and if people see that, they are going to comment on it.”

The police operation sought to engage with street drinkers in order to enable them to access other agencies that could help.

Weymouth Neighbourhood Inspector Pete Browning said: “This three day operation was never going to resolve the problem but has created a good start to identify those who need support and where this support may best be accessed. 

“It has also raised the profile of the problem to ensure that the necessary partner agencies work together to seek longer term solutions.”

Cllr Jason Osborne, tourism spokesman for Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, said he would like to see a “Bobby on the beat” to help tackle the issue.

Cllr Osborne, who also runs a hotel on the Esplanade, added: “I think there should not be any drinking on the Esplanade, but the problem with rules is that if nobody enforces it, it does not matter.”

Mr Reay added: “Whether all the people in town like it or not, this is a tourist destination.

“It is not going to be solved overnight, but it needs someone to start and it needs money thrown at it.”