POLICE have seized more than 400 litres of booze from the streets of Middlewich since no drinking zones were set up a year ago.

This makes up 64 per cent of the total seized in similar zones across Congleton borough and marks a great success for the scheme, which will be used as a model by other boroughs.

PC Mike Senior, from Middlewich CAT team, said: "The zones have given police the ability to seize alcohol not only from juveniles but from adults too.

"We've started to notice that if we seize alcohol early in the evening it has a knock-on effect on the amount of criminal damage and violent crime later in the evening because people are not as intoxicated.

"Obviously this has not stopped all crime but there has been a marked reduction."

No drinking zones were launched in the parks and public areas of Middlewich town centre on June 17 last year as the result of a partnership between Congleton Borough Council and the CAT team to reduce drink related anti-social behaviour.

The 401 litres seized in Middlewich is equal to 2,476 units or 793 containers, and only includes that seized by the CAT team when they are on patrol.

Police say they have seized the majority of alcohol from youths but that the reaction from drinkers during the past year has been fairly positive.

PC Senior said: "As far as I'm aware no one has refused to hand over alcohol across the borough.

"The majority of people don't want to hand beer over but once we explain the no drinking zones to them they do.

"I think that's why other borough councils are looking at doing this because of how effective it's been."