POLICE plans to help tackle levels of binge drinking and alcohol fuelled disorder in St Helens town centre will go to public consultation after receiving backing from the council's Licensing and Environmental Protection Committee.

They have proposed the introduction of measures which will make it more difficult for certain types of bars to open if they can't show that they will not add to levels of crime and public nuisance.

Neighbourhood Inspector for St Helens Dave Brennan addressed members of the committee at the town hall insisting that the plans were "not to prevent premises from opening" or harming businesses or licensees, but emphasised that it will allow for a "closer look" at any new application.

The Special Cumulative Impact Policy (SCIP) will apply to an area from Bridge Street to Duke Street with special focus on "vertical drinking establishments", which offer minimal seating for customers and which has seen an increase in violence, said Insp Brennan.

He told the councillors: "Our spike for disorder over the last two years is between 3am and 4am."

He said that policing the town centre at night also puts strain on resources: "In the night time economy on an average weekend there can be 2,000 to 3,000 people in a confined area. If they are at capacity that can rise to anything around 7,500 people."

Insp Brennan also said that many bars are open until 5am and that requires a significant number of officers to police. He explained that the police use other tools at their disposal, such as dispersal orders but these are temporary measures.

Councillor Alan Cunliffe, Labour member for Blackbrook said: "The night time economy should be for everyone, not an extended 18 to 30 holiday."

The plans are now open to public consultation until Thursday, October 8.