POLICE in York will be issuing fake fixed penalty tickets this weekend as a part of a campaign to educate people about the dangers of binge drinking.

The pretend £80 fixed penalty notices will be handed out in the city centre this weekend as part of the Operation ALTN8 campaign.

They will be given to members of the public in attempt to educate people about the relatively new Section 27 “direction to leave” police powers.

Sergeant Shaun Page, of North Yorkshire Police, said anyone caught committing a criminal offence would still be dealt with in the normal way – but he said officers would also be handing out the faux tickets to raise awareness.

He said: “The purpose of them is to educate people and to make people aware that we can use these powers, because they are quite new.

“They are starting to be used by the police a lot more.”

The notices warn revellers they could have been issued with an £80 ticket for their behaviour.

They state: “You behaved this evening in an antisocial and disorderly manner. If you behave in this manner in the future it will cost you £80 or even a day at court. Further you could be ordered to leave the area for a period of up to 48 hours and if you return you will be arrested and have to attend court.

“The cost of your night out could be more than the beer money you spend, please think carefully and drink wisely next time you enter York city centre for a night out.”

Section 27 of the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 provides a police officer in uniform with a new power to issue a direction to an individual aged 16 years or more to leave a particular location.

The officer can apply the direction if they believe that person’s presence is likely to contribute to the “occurrence, repetition or continuance” of alcohol-related crime and disorder.

The direction can prohibit their return to that location for up to 48 hours.

The powers were introduced to help police reduce the likelihood of alcohol-related crime or disorder by dealing immediately with a situation, rather than having to apply to the courts.

The fake fixed penalties are all part of a continued bid to promote the ALTN8 message – asking revellers in York to alternate their alcoholic drinks with soft drinks on a night out, and to alternate their nights out with nights in.

Extra uniformed officers hit the town at the weekend to hand out “night safe” bags to revellers – containing bottled water to aid rehydration, lollipops to raise blood sugar levels, a personal attack alarm, condoms and flip flops.

Sgt Page said the bags proved very popular with girls on nights out.