Action to prevent drunk care home residents being “offensive” and “intimidating” whilst drinking alcohol with guests near their facility is to be taken by officials.

Amber Valley Borough Council is in the process of renewing a series of Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) to ban drinking alcohol at 21 sites across the area, comprising town centres and playing fields.

As part of the renewing process of these orders for a further three years, the council is also looking to expand the area covered in Riddings to include the lane which runs from Church Street, Riddings to Parkside, Somercotes.

This lane passes the entrance to Midshires House, home to Treetops care home, and is said to have become a problem spot for people gathering to drink alcohol, including care home residents and their guests, a council report says.

A Google streetview from March 2023 shows two men sat in the entrance to the Midshires House Care home site, the alleged problem location of alcohol consumption and anti-social behaviour, with purple plastic cup and a 2.5 litre of 7.5 per cent alcohol White Storm cider between them.

placeholder image — A Google streetview from March 2023 shows two men sat in the entrance to the Midshires House Care home site, the alleged problem location of alcohol consumption and anti-social behaviour, with purple plastic cup and a 2.5 litre of 7.5 per cent alcohol White Storm cider between them.

The report says: “This is a well-used route for parents and their children going to and from school, and in most part is pedestrian access only.

“The Treetops residential care home, located on Church Street, accommodates people with complex mental health problems and challenging behaviours.

“Some of the residents may exhibit an unhealthy relationship with alcohol.

“Residents from Treetops are sometimes joined by non-residents who can gather on the lane to drink alcohol.

“Complaints have been received that when ‘in drink’ the individuals gathering can become offensive to people walking by and their presence is intimidating.

“The management of Treetops requests their residents not to drink here but they have no real power to stop them from doing so.

“Not all those engaging in the anti-social behaviour are residents of Treetops, so it is unrealistic to expect the care home to manage non-residents.”

The expansion of the order is intended to give the police powers to issue fines and take action against people caught drinking alcohol in that area.

Midshires House was approached for comment and a member of staff said facility management were not aware of any issues of alcohol being consumed in front of their premises and said any issues should be raised with the police.

Treetops care home, which can accommodate 28 residents, is run by Midshires Healthcare Limited and was rated “good” by the CQC in November 2025.