A POLICE van decked out with CCTV cameras and marshals to escort people to bus stops and taxis at night are two measures the authorities are looking at to combat alcohol-fuelled problems in Swindon.

The mobile camera unit will make its appearance in the next few weeks to curb such crime and disorder in the town centre.

Police have warned that the problems will worsen as the warmer weather and lighter evenings approach unless action is taken.

Their warning comes as the Government has announced a crackdown on binge drinking and drunken anti-social behaviour.

Insp Simon Dicks of Swindon police said he hoped the mobile unit would be a deterrent to troublemakers.

"It will be an interesting exercise as we hope to identify the key areas of town where alcohol-fuelled crime takes place," he said.

"As well as making people think twice about drunken behaviour it will also reassure people who want to come into Swindon for a meal or drink and enjoy themselves safely.

"Alcohol-fuelled crime is a continuing problem for us and will only get worse as the summer approaches. We will also be speaking to pubs and clubs around the area."

A leaked letter from Home Secretary David Blunkett to Tony Blair at the weekend told of his concerns that alcohol-related disorder was spiralling out of control.

Announcing the Government's health strategy yesterday, Home Office minister Hazel Blears said the Government would be looking at schemes including having wardens at taxi ranks, introducing fixed penalty fines for drunken misbehaviour and making drinks producers label their products with health warnings.

Binge drinking is thought to cost the country £20 billion a year in health care, crime, policing and absence from work.

Swindon town centre, which stretches from the Town Hall to the railway station, has been an alcohol-controlled zone since November 2002.

Within its boundaries police can confiscate alcohol and arrest people who refuse to stop drinking and causing a nuisance.

Swindon's town centre manager Bernie Maguire said it is working to a degree.

He said: "The zone has made a difference in daytime drinking and crime as it does make people think twice, but it is still a problem at night.

"We are investigating a number of measures including bus marshals to help people leave the town.

"The problem is that all the pubs are in one main area around Fleet Street which creates problems come closing time as everyone is leaving the same area at the same time."

A spokesman for the Litten Tree, in Fleet Street, said the pub would fully support any schemes introduced to curb alcohol-related disorder.

"We have a very good relationship with the police," he said. "We feel we have a social responsibility and it's something we take very seriously."

Ian Davidson, owner of the Casbah, in John Street, said Swindon's drink-related problems did not seem as bad as other towns and cities.

Doctors from Swindon's Great Western Hospital have backed a petition calling for cigarette style health warnings on alcohol products.

South Swindon MP Julia Drown last week handed the petition to the House of Commons.

Alex Emery