A rise in drunken anti-social behaviour has led to a drinking ban in areas of a town centre in Hampshire. Anyone caught drinking alcohol in Fareham near the leisure centre, Bath Lane recreational ground or The Gillies faces arrest.
Solent East police say the ban - which comes into force on 1 March - is aimed at tackling anti-social behaviour and under-age drinking.
Council leaders say Fareham is seeing part of a national trend.
 |  Fareham is by no means a violent town, but it is experiencing a trend which nationally is seeing increasing violence and anti-social behaviour |
Insp Simon Wrigglesworth, said: "The alcohol exclusion area will enable us to take positive action against those who cause local residents and visitors to Fareham misery and distress.
"While the vast majority of people are sensible and considerate, the few who gather to drink alcohol in our town centre and use anti-social behaviour will find the police taking a firm line."
Councillor Sean Woodward, Fareham Borough Council's executive leader and vandalism task force chairman, said: "Fareham is by no means a violent town, but it is experiencing a trend which nationally is seeing increasing violence and anti-social behaviour."
The ban comes into force on 1 March.
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