A BLANKET booze ban on Selby's streets could be brought in if councillors back a call by the district's licensing chief.

Selby District Council licensing officer Tim Grogan told town councillors that no-alcohol zones would be "good for the town."

He detailed plans for a total street drinking ban to crack down on alcohol-fuelled crime and anti-social behaviour.

He said: "I think it would do a lot of good for the town.

"We can either restrict the drinking or have a blanket ban in the whole of Selby. There would be no drinking out on the streets at all."

He said another option would be to apply the ban to specific areas such as the Bowling Green recreation ground, outside the Town Hall, or the Market Cross.

He said: "I was speaking on behalf of people who complain to me about people drinking in public places in Selby.

"Pubwatch and all the licensees also support it. They think it is the right idea and to be honest if you look at other areas like Leeds and Wetherby you can see it works."

The zones give police officers the power to seize drinks and arrest nuisance drinkers for a criminal offence.

No-booze zones introduced to Barlby and Brayton last year have proved a big success, with residents reporting a steep drop in alcohol-fuelled nuisance behaviour.

Blanket bans are also set to be introduced in Sherburn-in-Elmet, Eggborough and Kellington.

Sgt John Manuel, of Selby police, said: "From our point of view if the town council said they want it then we would support it.

"It is additional measures that we would have in our armoury.

"In Selby we are doing very well with alcohol related crime and issues at the moment but we can't be complacent. We have got to be doing more of the same."

Sgt Manuel is set to address the town council's meeting next month, when councillors will be asked to vote on the proposal.

Coun Steve Shaw-Wright said: "My view is that they work. It gives people the power to police it themselves and call upon assistance from police officers and the council to make sure it is enforced.

"We have only got to look at the bigger towns where they have introduced it to see it is a success."

Ian Wright, chairman of the town's Pubwatch group of landlords, said licensees backed the proposals.

He said: "The idea is obviously to make the streets in the evening safer places which can only be a good thing for licensees.

"It is going to encourage more people to come out rather than being worried about being confronted by people drinking on the streets."

Updated: 09:46 Thursday, February 02, 2006