A ban on boozing in public could be introduced across Abingdon to curb antisocial behaviour.

Thames Valley Police has asked Vale of White Horse District Council to introduce an alcohol exclusion zone in the town.

This would give police the power to stop people drinking in a public place and to confiscate their alcohol if they are acting antisocially. It is an arrestable offence not to comply.

Chief Insp Phil Littlechild, police area commander for the district, said: "We found mostly that alcohol is connected to some of our criminal damage, often by young people misusing alcohol.

"Either they attempt to buy alcohol themselves or ask others to buy the alcohol on their behalf. Then they sit and drink this alcohol and quickly become affected by it and go out and commit crimes."

Sgt Andy Cranidge, of the Abingdon neighbourhood team, added: "Antisocial behaviour is no way an issue in Abingdon. If you see groups hanging around, nine out of 10 times there isn't a problem, but on the rare occasion there is.

"We're trying to address that and put measures into place."

The idea is supported by the council, which will put it out to public consultation and write to licensees who may be affected by the plan. If approved, the order could be introduced by the spring.

Council spokesman Nikki Malin said: "The police have analysed the current level of alcohol-related disorder in Abingdon.

"The report has been presented to the members of the council who are satisfied that there is evidence of alcohol-related nuisance and disorder to the public in the town.

"At this stage it is intended that the order be applied to the whole of Abingdon to help reduce the likelihood of displacing the problem to other areas of town, as has been experienced elsewhere."

Abingdon's first dispersal order, which gave officers the power to move on groups of young people, was put in place on the Peachcroft estate in November 2005. It was lifted after 12 months and was hailed as a success.

Another order was later implemented in Reynolds Way, Palmer Place, Cotman Close and the Poets estate, south of the River Ock.

Sgt Cranidge said areas targeted by officers would be the town centre and parks.

Paul White, landlord of the Old Anchor Inn, in St Helen's Wharf, said: "If it's controlled drinking, then it's not a problem. It's just when it is uncontrolled, which is what they are trying to eliminate.

"I don't really have a problem with the zone. If it stops people going around with extra strong lager in the streets, it's a good thing."