DRUNKEN louts who repeatedly cause disorder in and around St Helens' town-centre bars could be banned from the area as part of a police plan to tackle yob behaviour.

Already police are gathering evidence ahead of seeking an anti-social behaviour order against a 32-year-old Thatto Heath man who has been excluded from town-centre bars for drunkenness and disorder.

If police press ahead with plans and an ASBO is granted, he could be banned from entering St Helens town-centre permanently. Police say the net is also closing on other known troublemakers.

Inspector Peter Costello revealed the intentions as he spoke about the challenge of policing a town-centre night-scene that now attracts in the region of 20,000 people.

He said: "The night time economy in St Helens is developing and Merseyside Police is fully supportive. But this has got to be done in a sustainable fashion and the licensees, local authority, police and the public have to play their part in basic safety.

"There is an obvious message for people already being arrested for drunkenness, assault and urinating - it is not going to be tolerated. We will be looking at exclusion orders and banning orders from the town-centre - and the ultimate sanctions which is ASBOs."

Levels of binge drinking have been blamed on a surge in street violence nationally. Locally, rates of violence are up, though, police say a new way of recording crimes and an increase in town-centre visitors is a factor. Tactics used by police to combat flashpoints will continue to centre on monitoring violence 'hot spot' zones both through CCTV and patrols.

Bars, pubs and nightclubs are also facing stringent checks to make sure they are meeting their licensing agreements.

Spot checks will be made without warning by teams of up to 20 officers. Insp Costello said: "We will check door staff regulations, how many people are being let in bars, and if any drinkers are under age.

"If we see anyone we think is underage, we will stop them, take a statement and ask where they have been able to get a drink."

Licensees of bars could also be questioned if they let in or serve heavily drunk people. Insp Costello added: "If we see people blasted, rolling out of bars we will be asking the licensee and door staff why they have been allowed in there in the first place."