Police can now order drinkers to hand over alcohol in Swansea centre

A ban on street drinking came into force on New Year's Day with police having new powers to confiscate alcoholic drinks from revellers.

In 2003 there were 762 drink-related crimes in the centre of Swansea with assault being the most common offence.

Police officers can now order people to stop drinking and confiscate the alcohol.

It is a way of improving the quality of life for people in Swansea Chief Inspector Phil Davies

Those who refuse may face arrest for 'failing to comply with an officer's direction'

Swansea is the latest of a number of cities and town's across the UK to set up alcohol bans on their streets.

Police in Rhyl and Llandudno have already installed similar schemes.

Officers at Aberystwyth are also looking to ban drinking from sealed containers on its streets from April.

Chief Inspector Phil Davies of South Wales Police said: " It is a way of improving the quality of life for people in Swansea.

"This has been used in other parts of the country and the reports are that it has been very effective."

The initiative hopes to cut down on crime and reduce alcohol related injuries caused by assaults and injuries due to broken bottles.

Swansea's Wind Street is pedestrianised at weekends

The main focus of the clampdown will be in the Kingsway and Wind Street areas - home to the city's club land.

Wind Street is pedestrianised during weekend evenings and police officers have encountered problems from drinkers carrying drinks from one watering hole to another.

"This is a two-pronged attack to stop people injuring themselves from broken bottles and stop people from using glasses and bottles to assault others," said Sergeant Jeremy Griffiths of Swansea police.

The move was spearheaded by the Swansea partnership TASK(Tackling Alcohol and Substance Related Street Crime.) which includes the police and Swansea Council.

"The council installed bottle banks along Wind Street about nine months ago to allow people to get rid of their glasses and bottles rather than smashing them on the floor," he said.

"If we have to confiscate bottles from people we can easily get rid of them in these bottle banks.

"Another reason for this initiative is to reduce the number of people who have to go to hospital because of alcohol-related injuries.

"That can only mean good news for the public and huge financial savings for the NHS."