The Northumbria police force's When To Stop campaign resulted in 197 arrests since it began on 8 May.

Officers arrested 101 people in South Tyneside and a further 96 in Northumberland, a spokesman said.

More than 200 licensed premises were also visited by officers aiming to cut the number of under-age drinkers.

Ch Insp Dave Metcalfe, of South Tyneside Area Command, said: "We've made a good start to this campaign.

World Cup

"Over the Bank Holiday weekend police and staff from drug and alcohol agencies, Turning Point and South Tyneside Drug Action Team, were in South Shields town centre to talk to the public about the dangers of binge drinking."

"We will be continuing these initiatives to tackle any problems, paying particular attention to disorder around licensed premises during the World Cup."

Ch Insp Simon Packham, of Northumberland Area Command, added: "We are coming down hard on unruly behaviour.

"By locking up drunks before they have a chance to cause trouble we are nipping any trouble in the bud."

The campaign is due to last three months.

It is part of Chief Constable Mike Craik's pledge of total policing, and the force's third major crackdown on drunken behaviour.