Cumbria Police have already had a successful experiment in banning youths from the streets at night.

Now the force is mounting a campaign to reduce under-age alcohol consumption and street drinking.

The initiative, dubbed Nightsafe, will focus on west Cumbria and was being launched in Whitehaven on Monday.

Nightsafe was launched at the Sunny Hill Pub in Whitehaven at 1100 BST on Monday.

Activities will include an on-street drinking ban in selected areas and test purchases of alcohol by those under age.

A proof of age card is also due to be introduced.

Domestic violence

Posters promoting the campaign are being placed throughout the area.

Inspector Jeff Downham of Cumbria Police, who is overseeing the initiative, said: "Much is rightly made of the harmful effects of class one drugs, particularly in relation to crime.

"Until recently alcohol didn't have the same high profile because of the positive image it has in British culture, exampled by the way in which it is marketed.

"Alcohol is a major causation factor in key crime and disorder incidents ranging from domestic violence to youth disorder and west Cumbria is no different, having shown a recent increase, in line with national figures, for violent crime and disorder incidents.

"The Nightsafe campaign adopts a four-pronged approach to tackling the problem through education, enforcement, treatment and the environment.

"The ultimate aim is to reduce offences associated with alcohol abuse, and in turn create a culture across west Cumbria where tax paying voters can feel safe and re-assured."