LICENCEES are being encouraged to give punters a lollipop at closing time in an effort to prevent drunken street bawls.

Police have warned that they are clamping down on drunkeness near pubs and clubs and have ordered extra CCTV cameras to cover Guisborough and Redcar town centres to gather evidence against those caught causing problems.

Insp Dave Mead has also launched a poster campaign to drive home the message that alcohol-fuelled street brawls result in a no-win situation for all involved.

The poster depicts a critically ill person lying injured on a hospital bed and a man in a prison cell.

Insp Mead, said licencees and door staff had decided to adopt the idea of giving free lollipops to everyone leaving the pubs to initiate a feel-good factor in an effort to keep spirits high and tempers low.

"We want people in East Cleveland to come into town and have a good time throughout the festive season," Insp Mead said. "This purge is aimed at the minority of people who come here to cause trouble.

"The additional CCTV cameras and targeted patrols will ensure those coming here to cause trouble will be arrested."