TESCO is seeking to to reassure Wotton Town Council it will not tolerate anti-social behaviour at the store when it takes over fully in April.

The council had voiced concerns about the behaviour outside the One Stop Shop in Long Street in November, following a report of alleged trouble inside.

Cllr Paul Smith said then: "There was one girl on duty. On this particular day there was a group of youths shoplifting and the girl couldn't stop it. I think it is something that needs sorting out before Tesco re-opens."

The council wrote to Tesco regarding security and in a reply, read at Monday's meeting, Joanna Grudgings said Tesco did not think anti-social behaviour was a problem in the town.

She said: "Currently the store at Wotton-under-Edge does not generally attract anti-social behaviour. There can be on rare occasions some highs spirits among teenagers and this has been known to cause disruption but these incidents are isolated and are not typical by any means.

"When Tesco takes over full running of the store, we will of course keep all security matters under review and implement any changes as necessary.

"Tesco also carries out a risk assessment on each store to assertion the current situation and consider what measures should be implemented to maintain security and safety at the store.

"Tesco seeks to act on the earliest indications of problems of security at a store and staff involve the police where necessary and work with them to try and eliminate the problem before it gets out of hand.

"Unfortunately, anti-social behaviour among young people can often be alcohol-related. Tesco has a strong policy on preventing under-age alcohol sales. We recently signed up to the Think 21 scheme, whereby we do not sell alcohol to anyone who looks under 21 and cannot produce appropriate identification."

She added: "Tesco takes security both in and around its stores very seriously. We are committed to ensuring that our staff and neighbours feel they are safe in the locality and are confident Tesco will act responsibly in this respect."

But Cllr Smith insisted: "We know it is happening."

Clerk Glenys Sykes replied: "If there is a problem now, we know where to report it."

Police told the Gazette they had received no reports of specific events outside the store.