A CRACKDOWN on alcohol-fuelled anti-social behaviour in Weymouth has been launched.

The drink safe, street safe' project aims to get the police, town centre licensees and Weymouth and Portland Borough Council to work together to encourage the responsible drinking and sale of alcohol in Weymouth pubs and clubs and safer streets in the town, particularly at night.

The project, which will give awards to licensees who promote sensible drinking and safe practices on their premises, was officially launched yesterday at Weymouth Pavilion by community beat officer PC Mike McCabe and Inspector Peter Meteau of East Weymouth police station.

They hope the scheme, in which licensees will fill out questionnaires about their policy on drugs, preventing the sale of alcohol to minors and first aid among other things, will create the right incentive for all Weymouth licensees to get involved.

South Dorset MP Jim Knight, who attended as a keynote speaker, said: "We all value Weymouth town centre as a lively place but the fact is, also, that for families on a Friday and Saturday night, they don't feel it's a place for them.

"That perception, whether we agree with it or not, will shift."

PC McCabe told the attendees, including local publicans and club owners, that once the police had received a completed questionnaire from a licensee a 30-minute visit would be made to the premises by a policeman and council representative to give further advice on safety and other issues.

The premises would then be put forward for accreditation under the scheme, which awards gold, silver or bronze plaques to the businesses, according to how safe they are.

PC McCabe said the plaques, meant to be displayed outside the premises, show which are involved in the scheme and which are not and encourage those that are not to join. Andy Dono, landlord of The Old Rectory in St Thomas Street, Weymouth, said: "Having just spent the past ten years in London and working all over the country I find it very encouraging and people in the town will like it.

"It's going to promote a very nice clean image."

Questionnaires were handed out at the conference with a timetable revealing the deadline for applications as June 30 with the results due to be announced at the end of July.

For more details contact PC McCabe on 01305 226312 or 01305 768975 or e-mail mike.mccabe@dorset.pnn.police.uk