THE streets of Caerleon could be free of anti-social boozers by May, if Newport council has its way.

Police officers and police community support officers (PCSOs) will soon be able to order anyone drinking anti-socially in public to stop and confiscate their opened bottles or cans of alcohol.

Anyone flouting the rules could be fined up to £500.

The move follows more than a year of booze-fuelled trouble in the area.

Last July a security guard was attacked by drunken youths as he patrolled the Caerleon Arts Festival.

At the time one local landlord told the Argus the situation was so bad he actually closed on bank holidays to avoid the trouble.

Now from May, an alcohol designation area is planned to extend across almost every street in the area.

It will not ban open-air drinking but give officers extra powers when there is annoyance or disorder.

Local landlords and police are backing the plans.

Julie Merett, landlady at Minstrels, Station Road, said: "I think it is a very good idea. It will definitely reduce the anti-social behaviour which has been a problem, especially on bank holidays and at special events.

"The trouble comes from teenagers who buy alcohol from elsewhere and hang around in gangs. Stopping them doing that is a positive move."

Newport council"s community safety scrutiny forum heard on Friday that plans for the alcohol-free zone were in their final stages. From next week the proposals will be put to the public for consultation before the final decision on whether to go ahead with the order is made on May 3.

Caerleon councillor Gail Giles said: "I am very pleased to see the Caerleon alcohol designation order proposals reaching the final stages.

"Anyone who knows the area will know there have been a large number of problems with a lot of anti-social drinkers for a long time."

Nobody at Gwent Police was available for comment.