POLICE and other agencies in North Yorkshire are adopting a high profile in a campaign to tackle alcohol-related disorder.

Representatives from the force, the fire service and local authorities have been visiting licensed premises across the eastern police are to check every aspect of their operations as part of the national alcohol misuse enforcement campaign.

The clampdown on under-age and irresponsible drinking has seen more than 600 pubs, clubs, bars, off-licences, supermarkets and convenience stores vetted across the eastern area, which includes towns like Bedale, Northallerton, Thirsk and Stokesley.

Twenty-five under-age drinkers have had alcohol confiscated and disposed of and one convenience store licensee was found selling alcohol to an under-age customer.

A total of 40 people have been arrested for public order or drunkenness offences and 21 received fixed penalty notices for drink-related offences.

In Hambleton, one licensee in Thirsk and two in Northallerton have been visited.

Northallerton-based licensing officer PC Kevin Suffield said: "We are working closely with partner agencies to combine our powers and clamp down on illegal sales and irresponsible consumption of alcohol.

"Most of the alcohol industry acts responsibly, but with this campaign we are putting across a clear message.

"If you sell to under-age drinkers, if you promote irresponsible drinking, you're not going to get away with it and you will be prosecuted."

Checks include compliance with licensing requirements, evidence of under-age drinkers and drug use, fire exits and health and safety including the number of customers present compared with the capacity of premises.

Quality of door staff and procedures for dealing with drug searches are taken into account. General safety issues include first aid training and the number of customers seen leaving premises with bottles or glasses.

Where breaches of licensing laws are found, penalties can range from a £1,000 to closure for up to 24 hours.

A closure notice can be issued to prevent a disturbance being caused by excessive noise or to protect public safety in the likelihood of disorder on or near the premises.

Chief Supt David Short, eastern area commander, said: "The campaign is proving a big success in the way it is raising everyone's awareness of the dangers of irresponsible drinking and the effect it has on communities.

"It is pleasing to see that only one licensee has had to be warned for serving people who are under-age.

"The initiative will continue and, while it is too early to comment on its impact on levels of violent crime, it is clearly going to be an important first step on that road."