Blitz to call time on booze-linked crime.

Byline: Mike Underwood

A major drive to reduce booze-fuelled violence in Middlesbrough and County Durham was launched today.

Police will use a combination of high-profile street patrols and multi-agency visits to public houses and nightclubs during the eight-week Home Office-led crackdown.

Cleveland Police say they will step up patrols in Middlesbrough town centre for the summer-long campaign.

Deputy Chief Constable Ron Hogg said: "Quite clearly there is a drinking culture in Middlesbrough town centre and we are keen to control the excesses that causes to ensure a diverse community is attracted to the town centre.

"On the back of Operation Sabre we have been doing a lot to reassure the public in Middlesbrough town centre anyway. That will continue and develop during the campaign. We will be upping the ante though."

Sgt Tim Robson, of Durham Police's north area licensing unit said: "The misuse of alcohol has a direct impact on the quality of life of those living both in the vicinity of licensed premises and beyond.

"Throughout this campaign we will be increasing uniformed patrols around pubs, clubs and off-licences and, behind the scenes, we will be working closely with licensees to ensure they are doing what they can to improve the situation."

He said one of the main aims is to get the message across to binge and chronic drinkers that they should adopt a more sensible attitude to consuming alcohol.

Sgt Robson said: "Licensees should be employing staff who are properly trained and able to deal responsibly with both under-age drinkers and those customers who shouldn't be served more drink because they are already drunk.

"Irresponsible drinks promotions such as 'buy one get one free' also need curtailing."

The spotlight will also fall on off-licences during the campaign and Durham Police will work together with trading standards to carry out test purchases on premises suspected to be selling alcohol to under-18s.

Beat officers will also be on the lookout for youngsters who cause a nuisance by congregating to drink. Alcohol in their possession will be seized and they will be taken home to their parents.

Chief Inspector Graham Hall, head of community justice for the south of the force, said in addition to Darlington, the campaign in the south of the county would include town centres such as Bishop Auckland, Barnard Castle, Crook, Newton Aycliffe and Spennymoor.

Durham Police is one of 30 forces in England and Wales taking part in the campaign which underpins the Government's strategy to change the UK's drinking culture.

The campaign is focusing on 77 named areas of England and Wales.

And it will see rowdy premises closed for 24 hours under new police powers, with irresponsible pubs and clubs named and shamed.

Drunken louts will be handed pounds 40 on-the-spot fines.

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