FEARS that people enjoying a quiet drink outside pubs in Fareham will be targeted by police following the introduction of new anti-drinking legislation have been rubbished by civic chiefs.

From today the whole of the Fareham district will be covered by a designated public place order as the council aims to help police clamp down on antisocial behaviour.

It means officers will have extra powers to confiscate alcohol and issue fixed penalty notices to nuisance drinkers.

The new legislation will be used in the fight against alcohol-related crime and disorder, as well as under-age drinking.

However, it has led to many residents fearing that they would be stopped from drinking outside.

Some who contacted the Daily Echo were worried that they would fall foul of the law by enjoying a pint outside quiet country pubs.

Fareham's executive member for public protection, Arthur Mandry, yesterday moved to reassure the public.

"The police will only exercise their powers of confiscation and/or arrest where drinking is accompanied by antisocial behaviour which is likely to cause concern or alarm," he said.

"Family picnics and people enjoying an alcoholic drink outside will not be approached by police, unless they are thought to be involved in antisocial behaviour."

He explained that the initiative is an extension of a scheme already running in Fareham.

"We hope this will help to tackle antisocial behaviour borough-wide, something that will be welcomed by many Fareham residents," he said.

Hampshire police's Insp Dave Hunter welcomed the move, which he said would be a useful tool in reducing crime.

He also promised that extra patrols will be hitting the town's streets from today, targeting anyone causing a nuisance while under the influence of alcohol.

In Fareham, 60 per cent of all crimes are damage or violence offences, and 80 per cent of these are alcohol-related.

"There is a clear and recognised link between the consumption of alcohol and acts of damage, violence and antisocial behaviour," Insp Hunter said.

"It is therefore no surprise that we are keen to challenge irresponsible attitudes towards alcohol.

"Unfortunately there are those who continue to drink alcohol in our streets and open spaces, cause nuisance and behave in ways that are unacceptable and antisocial. It is these individuals that the legislation is aimed at and these individuals that we will take issue with."

From today anyone refusing to surrender alcohol could be fined £50, or if arrested and prosecuted they face a £500 penalty and a court appearance.