A scheme offering alcohol awareness courses to those committing so-called ‘drink-related offences’ will be launched in Lincoln ahead of Christmas and the New Year.
Anyone caught and eligible for penalty notice for disorder will be given the choice of paying a £90 fine and accepting a three-month PubWatch ban.
Alternatively, offenders can attend an alcohol awareness seminar hosted by Addaction, which lasts half a day and includes a £30 fee.
The same programme was used in Grantham last year and is intended to have a positive effect in Lincoln while it runs during the Christmas and New Year period.
Inspector David Edwards, of community policing in Lincoln, said: “Much like speed awareness courses for drivers exceeding the speed limit, the alcohol trial is aimed at helping those committing offences while drunk have a greater understanding of the issues surrounding alcohol abuse through the seminars offered by Addaction.
“It also offers officers a quick and effective disposal option for dealing with low-level anti-social and nuisance offending; reduces time spent completing paperwork and simultaneously reduces the burden on the court system.
“We hope it will have a really positive impact on Lincoln, especially over the festive period.”