A POLICE authority is urging magistrates to take a tougher line over late-night disorder and drunkenness.

Councillor Ken Walker, chairman of the Cleveland Police Authority, said he shared the disappointed and frustration of the police when licences were renewed for premises which had appalling records.

He pointed to the recent decision to renew the public entertainment licence for the Royal Exchange, in Middlesbrough, despite police opposition.

He said: "I do understand councils do not want to be seen as killjoys in limiting people's choice of entertainment venues - and neither do the police.

"At the same time, I really do think that when the police produce clear evidence that a particular pub or club has a long record of disorder problems, such as drunkenness and violence, their recommendations should be accepted unless there are very convincing mitigating circumstances."

Every time the police raised concerns, operators said they would ensure tighter security or that incidents outside their premises might not be caused by customers.

"Yet time after time - literally every weekend - we see a huge amount of police efforts having to be diverted to deal with the kind of scenes which all too often bring mayhem to our town centres."

Coun Walker said he was sure the public would prefer more police officers being used in communities and fighting serious crime than coping with late-night disorders.

Local authorities, he said, could help by making it clear to entertainment operators that in future they would support the view of the police.