There were 1,000 drink-related crimes in Cerdigion in 2003/2004

A drink-free zone in central areas of the town will mean police will have the power to confiscate alcohol.

Those flouting the law could be liable for prosecution, warned the Dyfed-Powys force.

The restriction coincided with a community safety report, which revealed that alcohol-related crime was becoming a "significant problem" in Ceredigion.

The crackdown on street drinking in the town centre follows a year's consultaion and a trial period.

Ceredigion Council's cabinet voted in favour after a police report said it was the only way to deal with problems.

We want people in Aberystwyth to enjoy themselves, but they must abide by this new rule Mayor Cllr Aled Davies

Vagrants, homeless drunks and weekend revellers will be targeted.

Chief Inspector Huw Meredith, of Dyfed-Powys Police in Aberystwyth, said: "The ban means that police officers can confiscate alcohol and containers within a designated area of the town.

"If people refuse to obey police requests then they will be liable for arrest."

Chief Insp Meredith added that police had worked closely with other safety partnership members to identify problem areas.

"One of the issues was vagrants drinking alcohol in the streets and people going from pub to pub with bottles and then causing litter problems," said Chief Insp Meredith.

BAN AREAS Victoria Terrace to Trefechan Marine Terrace and the castle grounds Bronglais Hospital grounds Boulevard St Brieuc

Aberystwyth mayor Cllr Aled Davies welcomed the street drinking ban.

"Homeless people drinking on the streets and people carrying bottles from pub to pub, increasing the chances of them being used as a weapon, concerns the council," he said.

"We want people in Aberystwyth to enjoy themselves, but they must abide by this new rule."

Of 1,019 drink-related offences committed in Ceredigion in 2003/04, the report showed that 61% involved violence and 16% involved criminal damage.

Other figures from Ceredigion Community Safety Partnership's audit, revealed that violent crime in the county had risen by 47.7% since 2001.