COUNCIL chiefs are hoping Rossendale will be a safer place now that plans to ban alcohol drinking in the streets have been given the go-ahead.

It is hoped the idea, approved by Rossendale's Corporate Policy Committee, will lead to fewer people taking glasses out on to the streets and reduce the number of violent assaults.

Council officials, along with police, will be carrying out a series of consultations in a bid to establish the areas of Rossendale in which the bans would be most effective.

According to Inspector Roger Ravenscroft there is a great need for the bans in some parts of Rossendale. He said: "It is clear that in town centres specifically there is a need for street drinking bans. There is no blanket pattern but there are certain areas in the borough where a drinking in public places ban would add to the quality of life.

"We want to support anything that could possibly lead to a decrease in the amount of anti-social behaviour on the streets of Rossendale."

During 2002/03 there were 269 violent incidents reported in Rossendale that were directly associated with alcohol consumption and 93 incidents occurred on licensed premises.

Similar schemes in other authorities have already been hailed a success. According to a Nacro report, a charity to help reduce crime and disorder, the Leigh Town Centre Alcohol Ban, which was introduced in May 2002, has led to a 75 per cent reduction in criminal damage and a 62 per cent reduction in street disturbances.

In the report Trish Ellins, strategy officer for community safety, said: "Evidence suggests that a ban works best when the initiative is part of a wider strategy to address alcohol-related crime, disorder and nuisance.

This has been recognised in Rossendale and the aim is to co-ordinate our approach to banning orders.

"Through the Drug and Alcohol Misuse Group a borough-wide Pubwatch scheme has been set up. The police and Trading Standards have also run a number of test purchase schemes to deter the sale of alcohol to juveniles. These schemes will continue, expand and enhance any banning orders agreed."