POLICE today announced their toughest-ever coordinated crackdown on binge-drinking disorder, as York's pubs and clubs prepare for the launch of late night licences.

North Yorkshire Police will for the first time issue on-the-spot fines for offences such as urinating in the street and being drunk and disorderly.

Chief Superintendent Tim Madgwick, of York police, said that people handed a fixed penalty-charge notice would have a set time to pay an £80 fine, although they could take the matter to court if they wish.

"This will serve as a deterrent," he said. "If someone has found their behaviour has just cost them £80, they will hopefully decide it's time to go home and reflect on their behaviour next time they go out.

"This is just part of a raft of measures we are taking to stamp out alcohol-fuelled violence and antisocial behaviour."

He said other steps included:

Special bail conditions for people charged with violent, alcohol related offences, banning them from pubs and clubs in an area - similar to orders preventing football hooligans attending matches.

Two mobile video cameras mounted on vans, parked strategically outside potential troublespots in York to capture drunken yobs on CCTV.

Sting operations led by local authority staff to detect premises selling

alcohol to underage drinkers.

He said that in addition to the usual staffing, an extra half dozen police officers would be out on foot patrol in the city centre from Thursday to Sunday over the next six weeks to help enforce the clampdown.

While police leave had not been cancelled, the numbers allowed to take leave had been restricted over the periods.

He added that next year, after the changes had been given a chance to settle in, he would assess whether shift changes were needed to cope with extra demands for staff later in the night.

John Lacy, temporary licensing manager with City of York Council, said this would be the biggest-ever multi-agency crackdown on drinking related problems.

He said he was optimistic about the impact of new licensing arrangements on York, saying that allowing pubs and clubs to open later during celebrations for the new Millennium appeared to have reduced some of the problems caused by a uniform closing time.

"York is the second most popular tourist destination in the UK, and we need to make sure our culture of live music, entertainment, dining and drinking is

varied and flexible."

North Yorkshire's Assistant Chief Constable, David Collins, said a campaign, dubbed Operation Half, will run from tomorrow until January 11 as part of the national Alcohol Misuse Enforcement Campaign, which aimed to reduce alcohol-related crime, disorder and injuries.

He said police, who had secured the support of the licensing trade including the Federation of Licensed Victuallers Association and local breweries, hoped the majority of local licensees would come on board.

Officers would maintain a high profile, highly visible presence in and around town and city centres and identified trouble spots.

"We are not against drink and we are not against people enjoying themselves, particularly at this time of year," he said.

"However we are against violence, disorder, antisocial behaviour and drunken

driving. We will be taking a very firm line with offenders."

Updated: 09:37 Wednesday, November 23, 2005