POLICE in Fareham are promising to crackdown on drunken youths as part of a campaign aimed at reducing levels of criminal damage and violence in the town.

From tomorrow the force says it will be increasing the number and frequency of patrols around Fareham as part of a concerted effort to slash the amount of low level crime reported in the district.

Officers will be hitting hotspots across the district and say anyone caught causing a nuisance while under the influence of alcohol will face a fixed penalty fine of £50.

If they refuse to pay up then police will arrest them and pursue the matter to court where they can face a fine of ten times the fixed penalty sum.

Alcohol will also be seized from people causing problems and disposed of, though Hampshire Constabulary says law-abiding citizens simply enjoying themselves have nothing to fear from the clampdown.

Areas to be targeted include Porchester, Bath Lane Recreation Ground, Fareham Leisure Centre, Stubbington Greeb, Locks Heath and Seafield Park.

The move by police comes after a new by-law passed by councillors on Fareham Borough Council gave the borough stronger anti-drink legislation allowing the police to take immediate action against anyone found causing a nuisance under the influence of alcohol.