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POLICE and council patrols in Southampton have been given extra powers to seize alcohol from street drinkers.

They will have discretion to confiscate both open and sealed drinks.

Police will be able to arrest those who refuse to hand over alcohol, while council and community support officers can request personal details.

The city council's licensing panel has agreed to extend a 2004 order which covers open drinks in the city centre's streets and parks.

Police and council officers already have powers to seize alcohol from under-age drinkers under separate legislation.

However, youths will no longer be able to hand sealed drinks to those older than 18 to avoid them being seized. It takes effect from May.

A council survey found it had the backing of an overwhelming majority of clubs, pubs, hotels and other off-licences. Only the city mosque responded from 22 faith groups quizzed.

Southampton City Council antisocial behaviour manager, Derek Stevens, said the extension had been a success in other authorities such as Brighton, Westminster and Portsmouth.

Mr Stevens said the order would be used to target hotspots across the city, but admitted police lacked the resources to enforce the powers at all times.

He said the city's 40 homeless and street drunks would not be singled out.

A memo of understanding between the council and police stressed the order was not a ban on drinking in public places.

"It would be inappropriate to challenge individuals having a quiet picnic with a glass of wine or a can or beer in one of the city's parks," the memo said.

Rachel Higgins, the council's alcohol project worker, added: "It's not a perfect piece of legislation but it gives the public reassurance and police find it a very useful and usable tool as and when they need it."

Dozens of signs, costing about £2,000, will ring the city's main roads warning of the street-drinking zone.

Others will be put up at the hotspots.

However, licensing panel member Lib Dem councillor Gerry Drake abstained from voting saying the order would be unenforceable and a waste of money.

"I don't think it will make any difference. Why pay money for signs that won't do anything.

He added: "It was a lot better when we had bobbies on the beat."

Licensing Sergeant Stewart Chandler welcomed the decision: "The existing control area, which covers the city centre, has proved to be an effective tool in reducing the opportunity for cans, glasses and bottles to be used as potential weapons," he said.

"Members of the public can be made to feel unsafe and uncomfortable by groups or individuals drinking on our streets and in other public places."

The council is set to launch a publicity campaign.

8:00am Saturday 10th February 2007

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