Police are calling time on licensees, retailers and drinkers who break the law next week as part of a new crackdown aimed at stamping out alcohol-related disorder in the city.

Police will join forces with the city council and Trading Standards to target those who commit crime in the city as well as clampdown on the illegal and irresponsible selling and consumption of alcohol.

Licensed premises and off-licences will be part of a targeted programme of enforcement to prevent the selling of alcohol to those under-age and those already drunk.

Supt Bob Rose said: "We are committed to making Winchester a safer place to live, work and visit and we recognise that there has been some concern recently that the perception is that the city is becoming a 'no-go' zone over the weekend evenings. We want to make sure people know that is not the case."

Councillor Brian Collin, the city council's portfolio holder for community safety, said: "We want the city centre to be a place where people can have a good night out and get home safely afterwards. What we don't want is disorder on the streets and damage to property caused by a tiny minority."

But city councillor and prospective Tory parliamentary candidate for Winchester, George Hollingbery, believes the crackdown doesn't go far enough. He welcomed the initiative and said: "Let's be clear a two week crackdown really needs to be a whole year-round crackdown because Winchester remains a soft touch for under-age drinkers."