British police target drunken 'yobs'

LONDON, July 8 (UPI) -- Rowdy binge drinkers and so-called yobs will be targeted by police in 77 regions of England and Wales for the next eight weeks, Sky News reported Thursday.

The largest-ever effort of its kind in Britain was prompted by a Home Office directive to reclaim city and town centers often turned into drunken brawls.

"The message to people who are going to go out and get wasted is that police have a wide range of powers to use, from fixed penalty notices through to the full weight of the court -- and they have a will to use them," said Stephen Green of the Association of Chief Police Officers. "It's not acceptable that the (alcohol) industry makes a profit and litters our streets every night with hundreds of drunks."

The campaign will see rowdy premises closed for 24 hours under new police powers, with irresponsible pubs and clubs named in the news media. Pubs and bars could lose their licenses if customers later get into trouble with the police.

As well, obnoxious drunks will be fined $75 on-the-spot, the report said.