Tunstall drink restrictions cut anti-social behaviour
Drink-related anti-social behaviour in part of Stoke-on-Trent has reduced by over two-thirds after an alcohol restriction zone was introduced.
The powers came into force in Tunstall last March after the chamber of trade petitioned for the changes.
PC Adam Edwards said 10 incidents had been recorded in the three months from 28 June 2012 compared with 33 over the same period in 2011.
Tunstall Chamber of Trade said measures had made a "tremendous difference".
The Alcohol Restriction Zone only applies to public places in the town centre. Pubs, beer gardens, houses and gardens are not included in the scheme.
Officers may ask a person to stop drinking in a public place for various reasons and failure to comply makes a person liable to be arrested.
Mr Edwards said Staffordshire Police had targeted those who are dependent on alcohol by visiting them at home or sending them details about how to get advice to control their addictions.
He conceded the wet weather last summer may have been a factor in the reduction of anti-social behaviour, but added figures for the three months from 28 March also showed a drop from 29 incidents in 2011 to 17 in 2012.
He added that the problem has not been displaced because there have been no increases in incidents in neighbouring areas.