Drunks in Cavendish Square are facing a police crackdown.

Officers have applied for the Park South area to be made an Alcohol Designated Zone.

It would give police officers the power to con-fiscate alcoholic drink and arrest people who refuse to stop drinking in the square.

The application requires the approval of Swin-don councillors, but no objections are expected.

The purpose of the projected zone is to cut down on the number of intoxicated people loitering, and by doing so cut crime and anti-social behaviour.

It would be similar to the one that has operated in Swindon town centre since 2001, and has helped reduce signifi-cantly the numbers of intoxicated people in the area.

Officers have found that in practice most people comply with orders to stop drinking, and few arrests have been made.

Inspector Simon Dicks, from Swindon police's crime and disorder team, said: "There have been problems with adults and youths drinking and hanging around in Cavendish Square.

"Wherever there is alcohol involved, tempers flare and there is lots of trouble."

Insp Dicks said the drinking was anti-social and unpleasant for people coming into the square to use the shops.

He added: "You have the right to drink in your own house and garden but when it moves into the streets and encourages younger people to think it's cool to drink alcohol, then it's a problem."

Lionel Starling, licensing officer for Swindon Council, said the zone would allow the police to intervene more effectively when drinkers were creating problems.

"If people are quietly drinking and not creating problems, they will be left alone," he said.

Mr Starling said Swindon's street drinking problem was similar to that of other places in the UK.

He explained: "The number of street drinkers is increasing, reflecting an increase in addiction to alcohol in society overall."

The Alcohol Designated Zones have replaced wholesale drinking bans, which used to criminalise all drinking in designated areas and were perceived to be a drain on police resources.

It is no coincidence that the application for the zone in Cavendish Square comes at the same time as plans for the redevelopment of the square are under discussion.

It is hoped the redevelop-ment will offer a fresh start, and drunks are not con-sidered part of the vision for the area's future.

The initial cost of the scheme, estimated at £1,800, is likely to come out of funds already earmarked for the area's regeneration.

Coun Barrie Thompson (Lab, Parks), said he would welcome the police crack-down and shoppers in Cavendish Square also welcomed their intervention.

"We have got a lot of problems with shop and caf workers being constantly harassed by people who drink," said Coun Thompson.

Bill Williams, 18, student at Swindon College and part-time security guard, said: "There was a big kick-off last week. Banning alcohol is a good idea it's causing most of the problems."

William Lowe, 34, recycling operator at Honda, said: "I've seen people hanging around but not causing problems."

Christine Arthur, 54, manager at Lloyds Pharmacy in Cavendish Square, said: "We never have any trouble.

"We have rules and people respect them."

Andy Tate