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

A year on, latest figures show violent crime has dropped by 18%, with much of that drink-related, officials add.

They said the experiment, which has given police power to confiscate alcohol in bottles and glasses on the streets, had been a success.

Those flouting the law are liable for prosecution by Dyfed-Powys Police.

The introduction of the ban coincided with a community safety report, which said alcohol-related crime was becoming a "significant problem" in the county.

It's also stopped crowds at night carrying bottles of beer Shop owner Ceredig Davies

Police say the drop in violence is evidence that it is working.

Vagrants, homeless drunks and weekend revellers have been targeted.

Alan Garrod, community safety partnership co-ordinator at Ceredigion Council, said: "This is something that works and is successful. We will see if it's applicable to other parts of the county."

Shop owner and county councillor Ceredig Davies, who is also a member of Aberystwyth Chamber of Trade, said conditions had improved.

He had warned three years ago that drinking in the street was causing problems.

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

"The ban has stopped the sort of problems which saw people camping down in doorways with drink and leaving litter everywhere," he said.

"It's also stopped crowds at night carrying bottles of beer and glasses around the streets.

"The only downside is that offenders have found secluded areas inside the zone to drink."

Chief Inspector Huw Meredith, of Dyfed-Powys Police in Aberystwyth, said the public had reacted well to the ban.

"People have been compliant and those visiting the town at weekends have been made aware of the restriction and on the whole have reacted positively," he said.

He added that alcohol was considered a contributory factor in violent crime, but it had reduced in Ceredigion in the past year.