NEW laws giving police extra powers to deal with drinking in the streets are due to come into force tomorrow.

The measures will affect areas of Malton, Norton, Pickering and Kirkbymoorside.

Certain streets will be designated as alcohol restriction zones and police will be able to intervene when people are publicly drinking alcohol.

Officers will be able to ask people to stop drinking and confiscate the alcohol.

Refusal to comply is an offence and may lead to a fine of up to £500.

Ryedale District Council has worked in partnership with North Yorkshire Police and Safer Ryedale to introduce the initiative over the past 18 months.

Councillor Elizabeth Shields, chairman of the council's Community Services and Licensing Committee, said: "I am happy to support this new law.

"It is not intended to prevent people from enjoying themselves but rather to protect the rights of local residents to an environment free from undue noise and disturbance."

Inspector Neil Burnett, District Commander for Ryedale, welcomed the new measures.

"Problem areas had been identified within the towns," he said. "These areas are ones where groups of people, particularly on Friday and Saturday nights, congregate in the street drinking alcohol which in the past has led to anti-social behaviour, disorder, and complaints from nearby residents of noise and nuisance."

Signs are being put up in each of the towns indicating which streets are affected.

Copies of maps listing the areas concerned are available for viewing at Ryedale House, Malton and the council's area offices in Pickering and Kirkbymoorside, until October 25.