LANDLORDS could lose their licences for selling alcohol to drunken customers in a tough campaign to stamp out booze-fuelled violence, vandalism and yobbish behaviour in Ryedale.

The 'last drink' strategy has been adopted by Ryedale area commander Insp Neil Burnett and licensing officer PC John Tugwell after examining policies used by other forces.

And, if it is successful in Ryedale, it could be extended across the rest of the county.

"What we are in the process of developing is a 'last drink' interview protocol, which we will use when we come into contact with people as a result of their behaviour on a Friday or Saturday night," said Insp Burnett.

"If they are drunk, we will ask them which premises they bought their last drink in and who served them. Based on that information, we will visit the licensed premises and take the appropriate action."

Insp Burnett said licensees will be given an official warning - and are at risk of having their alcohol licence revoked if they receive more than one.

If police think they have a strong enough case, they will apply to magistrates for the revocation of a licensee's licence to sell alcohol. The case would be put to a full hearing where both evidence and the case for the defence would be heard.

The "interview protocol" is being finalised and police officers are being informed of the new policy.

"It's an offence for a licensee or their servant to serve somebody who is drunk in licensed premises," said Insp Burnett.

"It's actually an offence to be drunk in a public place, full stop. Our concern, and it's a national concern, is that there is a drinking trend in most towns and cities where young people go out on Friday and Saturday nights and, encouraged by drinks promotions, drink to excess, in most instances not getting drunk, but very, very drunk.

"The consequence of very drunk people hitting the streets at the same time is inevitably damage, vandalism, public disorder and violence. We think it's only fair the people who contrive to get them into that state of inebriation - that is, the pubs and bars - meet their social and legal responsibility."

Insp Burnett said the timing of the campaign was important.

"We traditionally find that with the warmer summer weather, drunkenness and associated disorder violence increase, particularly when there are big events like the Euro 2004 championships."

Luke Postlethwaite, 30, licensee of the King's Head Hotel, Market Place, Malton, which will show all the Euro 2004 games, said: "I always say: 'If they can't ask for it, they can't have it'. The buck stops here. It's my name above the door, so it's my social responsibility. I'd rather be known as someone who turns drunks away rather than serves them."

Mr Postlethwaite said he supported the police crackdown, but there were a number of factors which would make it difficult to enforce. For instance, spirits took about 20 minutes to take effect, so someone could buy their last drink in one pub and appear sober but be inebriated when the effects of drinks bought elsewhere kicked in.

Paul Cook, the chairman of Malton and Norton Licensed Victuallers' Association, and the licensee of the Union Inn, Commercial Street, Norton, welcomed the policy and said Ryedale landlords were already vigilant.

Ana Richards, of the Ryedale Safer Partnerships organisation, based at Ryedale House, said street surveys carried out by the group in Ryedale had revealed concerns about anti-social behaviour caused by drinking. She said the new police strategy was to be welcomed.

Paul Cook, chairman of the local Pub Watch initiative, and a member of the Ryedale Anti-social Behaviour Committee, said: "Basically, landlords don't serve drunks, but the problem we have is when a group of, say, six lads come into the pub, and one is buying the drinks. Someone who is worse for drink could be well away from the bar, sat in a corner."

He said the new strategy was to be welcomed. "The landlords are as anxious as the police to keep drunks and violence off the streets."

Mr Cook said he did not believe it was a serious problem, but it was inevitable that there would be problems from time to time. He said the situation would be closely monitored during the coming European football championships, because pubs expected to be busy with matches being screened in bars.

Updated: 14:18 Wednesday, June 09, 2004