ROGUE licensees and drink-fuelled louts will be targeted in the latest seasonal crackdown on drunken disorder.

Senior police officers in the North-East yesterday gave their backing to the fourth Alcohol Misuse Enforcement Campaign.

A joint Government and Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) drive, it is aimed at tackling alcohol-related disorder during the summer.

Trading standards and licensing officers will be involved, taking action against shops, stores, pubs and clubs selling alcohol to under-18s, as well as bars and clubs actively promoting excessive drinking.

Premises acting irresponsibly face closure, with the issues of fixed penalty notices for alcohol- related disorder, test purchasing to target underage sales, and use of CCTV to diffuse potential disorder. Enforcement action will be taken against problem retailers and premises.

Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell described it as "the next chapter in our drive to crack down on alcohol-fuelled crime and disorder".

Northumbria Police Chief Constable Michael Craik, ACPO lead officer on alcohol-related issues, said: "From today, all police forces across England and Wales will be conducting a co-ordinated crackdown on alcohol-fuelled violence and disorder.

"We will be targeting drunken louts who engage in anti-social behaviour, along with those licensees who promote it with irresponsible drinks promotions and by selling alcohol to people who are underage or already drunk."

Acting Chief Inspector Ciaron Irvine, of Cleveland Police, said: "We wish to support our pubs, clubs and restaurants by making our main social centres safe places to meet, and those who spoil it for others will be dealt with firmly."

He added: "Our officers will again target those selling alcohol irresponsibly to young people in partnership with our colleagues in local authority licensing.

"Town centre binge-drinking will be tackled through high-visibility patrols and activity aimed at rooting out licensees who flout the law."

Sergeant Tim Robson, a substance misuse officer with Durham Police, said: "We are investing heavily in training licensees to ensure they are up to date with the new licensing laws and increasing the number of uniformed patrols in the busy areas of our town centres."

All 43 police forces in England and Wales are backing the latest campaign.