A TOUGH crackdown on street drinking hits Huddersfield next week.

Alcohol control zones - which ban street drinking in order to make town centres safer - are to begin in Huddersfield and Dewsbury.

Police will be able to confiscate and dispose of any alcohol found in open containers.

If drinkers refuse to comply - by continuing to drink or refusing to hand over the alcohol - they can be arrested.

Police will also be able to issue fixed- penalty notices with a fine of £80.

The alcohol control zones begin on Wednesday.

They are part of a wider strategy to reduce violent crime.

This includes a new campaign to tackle alcohol-related crime and disorder in the run-up to the festive season.

Clr Khizar Iqbal, who chairs Kirklees Safer Communities Partnership, said: "The alcohol control zones will help make our town centres safer, as well as more vibrant and welcoming places for everyone to enjoy, by reducing alcohol-related crime and anti-social behaviour."

Chief Insp Jon Carter, community safety co-ordinator for Kirklees, said: "Alcohol rapidly dulls people's judgement and their ability to respond rationally.

"Minor incidents can escalate into confrontation and violence.

"We want people to enjoy themselves in Huddersfield and Dewsbury town centres. This measure will prevent groups gathering and drinking on the streets and getting out of hand.

"It will enable us to tackle the small minority who spoil the fun for everyone else."

The Dewsbury alcohol control zone covers the streets within the A638 town centre ring road, as well as an area around Dewsbury Minster.

The Huddersfield alcohol control zone covers the area within the A62 ring road, plus Folly Hall and Chapel Hill.

Local residents and business owners have been consulted on the zones, which were approved by Kirklees Council's Licensing and Safety Committee.

The district's first alcohol control zone was launched in Batley this year.

1. What happens if I buy a bottle of wine and need to carry it home (for example) via one of the alcohol control zones? The alcohol control zone restrictions do not apply to people carrying alcohol in sealed containers. So long as the alcohol is unopened you will be able to carry it with you, even if part of the route you walk includes the alcohol control zone.

2. I own licensed premises. Does that mean I have to close my beer garden? No, provided the beer garden also forms part of your licensed premises. If in doubt, check with Kirklees Council's licensing department.

3. I live within an alcohol control zone. Can I drink in my garden? Yes. The alcohol control zone restrictions apply to street drinking in public places. Residential premises are exempt.