Alcohol restriction zones in the Stoke-on-Trent area have proved successful as anti-social behavior and street drinking have fallen in the region.
Figures collected by Stoke-on-Trent City Council have found that overall, anti-social behavior disturbances have fallen in the places where the bans were being used.
However, budget cuts have meant that the authority can only afford to create one new zone in 2012/13.
The first Alcohol restriction zone (ARZ) was introduced in 2004 and there are now 13 in Stoke-on-Trent.
The council’s review found that anti-social behaviour reports had fallen in nine of the 12 ARZs. The zone with the most success was Albert Square in Fenton.
44 year old Alan Gerrard who runs lives in Fenton, said: “There used to be a lot of drinking around the magistrates’ court, which did put off potential customers.
“That doesn’t happen as much now, and anything that can be done to minimise alcohol abuse in the public domain is worth doing.”
ARZs gives police the right to confiscate alcohol and arrest people causing problems in designated areas.
The cost for an ARZ is around £7,500. The money is used for public notices, signs and printing services from printers in Stoke-on-Trent.