Police have called time on nuisance drinkers on the streets of Colchester.

New powers coming into force tomorrow allow officers to confiscate alcohol from anyone causing a nuisance by drinking outdoors.

Anyone who refuses to comply will be arrested or given an on-the-spot fine.

PC Rob Temme, of the town centre policing team, said residents and police "have had enough" of the problems caused by disruptive drinkers.

"The overall aim is to reduce the likelihood of crime and disorder, and the fear of that," he said.

"We won't be confiscating every alcoholic drink being drunk outdoors, and if you are having a glass of wine at a family picnic in Castle Park then you will not have an issue.

"People will only fall foul of the law if they are drinking and causing a nuisance, or likely to cause a nuisance."

PC Temme said officers would be able to use the powers to target revellers in the town centre, as well as vagrants who congregated in the grounds of St Botolph's Priory.

Margaret Kimberley, Colchester Council's executive member for neighbourhoods, said the public would gain confidence from the knowledge police were monitoring people drinking in the streets.

"This sends out the signal we are conscious of the problem of street drinking and the unruly behaviour arising from it," she said.