POLICE claim there has been a significant reduction in alcohol-related problems in an area of the city plagued by street drinking.

Officers say drunkenness and anti-social behaviour has dropped since officers started working with licensed premises in Lowesmoor, Worcester.

West Mercia Police recently found that two off-licences in the street were breaching their alcohol licence conditions.

The Worcester News previously reported that police told a Lowesmoor shop to remove high-strength alcohol from its shelves - as the sale breached the business's licence.

City councillor Lynn Denham said: "They are taking licensing enforcement seriously.

"Lowesmoor has long been suffering from anti-social behaviour and street drinking.

"The nature of off-licences means individuals buy alcohol and go elsewhere, there are corners and locations nearby where street drinkers congregate.

"There have been some breaches of licence conditions, which licence holders might not have been aware they were breaching.

"Police are working together with licence holders to address some of the problems there have been in the area."

Cllr Denham, who represents Cathedral ward, said one of the problems caused by street drinking was people urinating in public.

West Mercia Police refused to name the two Lowesmoor shops which breached their licence conditions.

Sergeant Paul Smith, of the South Worcestershire licensing team, said: “We are currently in talks with several premises on Lowesmoor to set up an initiative to help further reduce drunkenness and anti-social behaviour.

"All the premises are cooperating and working with us to make Lowesmoor a welcoming place to visit.”

The team's Twitter account said there had been a significant reduction in drunkenness and anti-social behaviour in the area since officers started working with licensed premises.

A spokesman for the force added: "The licensing team visited a number of premises in Lowesmoor over the past week and through these visits have seen a reduction of calls relating to drunkenness and anti-social behaviour.

"The team will be continuing this good work and are in the process of setting up a new initiative to help to continue the reduction in drunkenness and anti-social behaviour incidents."

Last month, police officers told a shop in Lowesmoor to remove £2,000 worth of vodka, called Soplica, from its shelves because it was not allowed to sell high-strength alcohol under its licence.

Sgt Smith previously said shops have a responsibility to abide by their licence conditions - to reduce pressure on officers and paramedics.

To follow the South Worcestershire licensing team's Twitter page go on @sworcslicensing