Lincoln City Council has received a petition by 100 traders saying time should be called on the crime and litter that goes along with the louts.

They say business has been affected by the problems with up to 30 people drinking in the streets, scaring away trade with swearing and abuse.

Eric Griggs who runs a music shop in High Street said: "I have been called every name under the sun."

Why bother?

He added "You stand there on your own in a shop confronting three drunks who are threatening to kill you.

"It is terrifying, it puts people off coming to your business and you think: why am I bothering to make a nice business and do something for Lincoln and attract people in?

"People should not be seeing this."

There is a small group of about 12 or 15 people often causing quite serious problems for some people Councillor Ric Metcalfe

Lincoln City Council leader Ric Metcalfe said a by-law could be easily introduced, and the council is 'willing', but that alone probably would not solve the problem.

He said most of the people causing a nuisance have mental health or homelessness issues, and the council was working with the police and health bodies to look at problems.