POLICE today unveiled a new tactic in their crackdown on boozed-up yobs who cause trouble around bars and pubs in Ipswich.

POLICE today unveiled a new tactic in their crackdown on boozed-up yobs who cause trouble around bars and pubs in Ipswich.

The force has the power to ban people from certain areas and hand them a Direction to Leave notice.

The power comes from Section 27 of the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 and allows officers to serve a notice on any person they feel may cause alcohol-related violence.

This is a zero tolerance power - no actual offence needs to have been committed and anyone refusing to leave the area can be arrested.

Inspector Becky Kidd-Stanton said: “We want to use these powers to nip trouble in the bud early in the evening.

“The aim is not to spoil people's night out but if people come to Ipswich intent on causing trouble they will be asked to leave the town and not to return for up to 48 hours.”

The police also have the power to photograph anyone issued with a Section 27 notice.

Inspector Kidd-Stanton added: “Ipswich police will be using these powers to get rid of trouble-makers from the town and make the town safer for law-abiding people.”

Ipswich police have been using this tactic as part of their Staysafe with Nightsafe campaign and last weekend issued 12 Section 27 notices.

The Staysafe campaign is running during the weeks leading up to Christmas and New Year and has three key messages - don't drink and drive, report domestic violence, and stick together with friends to make sure you get home safely.