Prostitution, drug dealing and drinking on the streets is a growing problem in High Wycombe and the police are not doing enough to stop it, councillors have claimed.

With new anti-social behaviour laws being passed last year, police officers have been told by a long-serving Wycombe District Councillor to do more to combat current issues in the town centre.

Former WDC leader and chairman, Cllr Lesley Clarke, said officers “don’t even get out of their cars” when patrolling in the Desborough Road area, while another Conservative member said you cannot park on the street without “ladies knocking on your door asking for business”.

Cllr Clarke, who represents the Abbey ward, said: “When we had a meeting with the Desborough Road traders they complained of prostitution, they complained of drug-running, the complained of drinking, they have rough sleeping, you name it, everything.

“The police do get in their car and go there, but they don’t get out of their car. It therefore dwindles a bit, but the police need to get out of their car and go and properly investigate it.

She added: “We send the police officers there, but they do not get out of their cars, so what examples are we setting when we see the car going by and they don’t get out.

“What example are we setting to local people and local business?”

Cllr Clarke made the claims during a WDC High Wycombe Town Committee meeting last week when councillors were given a presentation on the new Public Space Protection Orders that council officers and Thames Valley Police will be able to hand out following incidents of anti-social behaviour.

Last year the government agreed to give the new PSPO the green light, replacing Designated Public Places Orders.

Cllr Maz Hussain, who represents Disraeli, said: “In the last six weeks I have reported ten different cases on Desborough Road. As soon as you park your car, you have ladies knocking on your door asking for business.

“If you go there in the evening you will see men drinking and other things like that going on.”

Thames Valley Police say neighbourhood teams do take a firm stance on street drinking, among other anti-social activities.

Spokesman James Williams said: “The neighbourhood team met with councillors and local businesses about two months ago to discuss their concerns about anti-social behaviour and how we can best tackle the problem.

“Our officers invited the councillors and businesses to record any incidents of anti-social behaviour and inform our two specialist anti-social behaviour officers in the town, however since the meeting our specialist officers have not received any reports.

“Intelligence will help us to tackle the problem so we encourage everyone in the town to report any incidents of anti-social behaviour to us.

“You can do this by visiting your local police station, by calling 101 or by talking to your local police officers and PCSOs.

“Where appropriate the force will seek to take individuals to court to enforce Criminal Behaviour Orders in order to decrease anti-social behaviour.”