Drinking bans have been imposed in six east Durham communities, in an effort to crack down on alcohol-related crime.

The public order restrictions, which in designated areas will prohibit the consumption of alcohol and allow for it to be seized, were introduced yesterday at a meeting of Easington District Council.

For some time the authority has been meeting the police and other stakeholders under a Community Safety Partnership (CSP) framework in an attempt to resolve issues of local crime.

The forums have looked closely at information gathered about incidents of crime and anti-social behaviour. Yesterday, at the meeting of the full council, members were told that front-line police officers had revealed there were "significant problems due to alcohol consumption in certain public places, resulting in nuisance, annoyance and disorder".

As a result, councillors were told that the CSP considered the use of an Alcohol Consumption in Designated Public Places Order would be an effective tool in combating the increasing problems in six communities, where 137 incidents of street drinking have been reported in the past six months.

Backing the introduction of the orders the council agreed that the drinking bans be imposed in Peterlee, around Grampian Drive, Fulwell Road, Beverley Way, Yoden Road, Eden Hill Road, Oakerside Drive, Helford Road playing fields, Nesbit Road and the town centre.

In Haswell, the order will cover Front Street, Church Street and Salters Lane.

In Blackhall, the locations covered will include Middle Street, Coast Road and Mickle Hill Road.

An order will be activated in Horden around Cotsford Lane, Sunderland Road, Beaumont Crescent, Shotton Road, Memorial Park and Church Green.

Murton Recreation Ground will also become a restricted area as will areas of Seaham around the Town Park, Dawdon Dene Park, Dawdon, Deneside Estate and Eastlea Estate.

Easington CSP chairman Steve Arkley said: "The new orders provide additional powers to the police in tackling alcohol-related anti-social behaviour."

He warned: The orders give the police the power to confiscate alcohol and impose a fine of up to £500 on anyone drinking in a public place and behaving anti-socially as a result."