NEW laws could soon be in place in St Helens town-centre which will give police powers to seize booze from alcohol-swilling louts who roam the streets.

Council bosses are considering bringing into force legislation which allows local authorities to pinpoint certain public places as alcohol-free zones.

This means police will have the power to seize bottles, containers or cans containing alcohol.

If the legislation - which comes under the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 - proved successful in the town-centre it could be rolled out into other areas of the borough where drink-fuelled yob behaviour is a problem.

Government guidelines suggest it would not be an offence to booze on the streets, but drinkers who refuse to hand over alcohol or comply with an officers demands can be arrested.

In theory, the moves could curb the number of late-night revellers carrying bottles onto the streets from nightclubs and bars and banish the sight of 'winos' stumbling around town in the daytime clutching open bottles of spirits or cider.

A spokeswoman for St Helens Council confirmed talks have been held about introducing the legislation. She said: "A draft document is being drawn up which proposes the implementation of legislation in St Helens town-centre which would give the police power to request that people should surrender any alcohol in an open container in public spaces.

"If the scheme is successful, the council and police would consider extending the legislation to other parts of the borough."

The scheme was put in place in the town-centres of Wigan last November and Leigh in May. A spokesperson for Wigan Council said it had proved a success. He said: "There has been a drop in the number of alcohol related incidents in the town-centre."