STREET drinkers who cause problems in the city centre are being targeted by police.
Officers are planning to seek antisocial behaviour orders (Asbos) for the most problematic offenders.
Sergeant Mick McLaughlin said trouble arises when police seize their alcohol. Drinking alcohol in the street is banned in most of the city centre.
Sgt McLaughlin, of the Riverside neighbourhood policing team, said: "It typically starts when they get their alcohol taken off them, they will start kicking off.
"They have been shouting, swearing and have even assaulted PCSOs who have seized alcohol from them. They become abusive and then start being violent.
"It is unpleasant and it is intimidating to members of the public."
Officers from the team are currently putting together applications for Asbos for two of the biggest troublemakers.
One of the men has caused problems at St Andrew's Quay retail park, shops in Albion Street, Asda in Hessle Road and a Chinese restaurant in Anlaby Road.
The other has caused problems at Hull Royal Infirmary, Waltham Street, city centre, Paragon Interchange and Hull Royal Infirmary.
Sgt McLaughlin said: "Their behaviour is having an impact on all different parts of the community.
"This is not the sort of thing people who are coming into the city centre want to see. It is unacceptable.
"One of them has even been stopping people with young children and been abusive to them.
"Business owners shouldn't have to tolerate it, either. It has a detrimental effect on everyone and can also affect how visitors coming into the city see Hull.
"We want to promote Hull as a place to visit and people may be put off by seeing behaviour like this."
Issues have also been reported in Silver Street and near House of Fraser in Jameson Street.
Sgt McLaughlin said officers are examining each report of disorder in the city centre to see whether the troublemaker is suitable for an Asbo.
"If anyone has any problems with disorder in the city centre, we want them to let us know," said Sgt McLaughlin.
"No-one has to put up with antisocial behaviour around them. If anyone has any concerns about this kind of problem, we will target the people who are responsible.
"We are reviewing anybody that comes to our attention for causing problems to businesses or members of the public in the city centre so that we can try ways to get them to amend their behaviour.
"Initially, we might look at drink banning orders but, if the problems continue, that is when we would consider full Asbos.
"This could include banning them from areas they are causing problems in, such as the interchange, or making it illegal from them to drink on the street.
"We are pursuing two Asbo applications at the minute, but we will consider them against others who are causing issues."
Police and other authorities have made tackling street drinking and rough sleeping a priority in the city centre and officers say their increased focus is already yielding results.
David Broadhead, Christopher Thomas and Ben Firth have been given Asbos in recent weeks, banning them from sleeping rough.
The men had been sleeping in the doorways of businesses around Hull Marina and were aggressive towards police and workers when they were asked to leave.
Sgt McLaughlin said: "These orders have been a success. Since they have been granted, we have hardly had any problems.
"Their behaviour had been making people in that area afraid to go to work, but now that has improved."
Contact your local policing team by visiting www.humberside. police.uk or calling 101.
