PUBLICANS and police are to issue drunks who cause trouble with a yellow card warning.

Anyone who re-offends after receiving a yellow letter from Richmondshire Licence Watch will be banned from all pubs and off-licences in the area for a year.

The tactic is just one being used to cut alcohol-related violence in the district this summer.

Police, licensees and secondary schoolteachers are working together on the campaign.

Sergeant Mick Griffiths, neighbourhood police co-ordinator for Richmondshire, said: "We are working in partnership with everybody who can have an impact in making Richmondshire vibrant, not violent.

"There is now a lot of good work going on in the district to address the problem of alcohol-related violence.

"The level of violence is starting to come down as a direct result of this work with licensees, schools and others."

Youth action officer PC Gary Lewis is continuing to work with secondary schools to educate pupils about the dangers of alcohol.

Police are also taking alcohol off youths who are caught drinking in public. A letter is sent to their parents telling them about the incident.

Anyone, of any age, arrested for an offence while drunk will be sent a yellow letter by Richmondshire police licensing officer, PC Huw Williams.

If the drinker comes to the attention of the police again, they will be banned from all licensed premises taking part in the scheme.

Anyone who commits a further offence could face an anti-social behaviour order.

Steve Moss, landlord of the Turf Hotel, in Richmond, and a member of the Richmondshire Licence Watch, said: "We are sending out a message to people.

"They will get to know that if they commit any offences they're not going to get a drink."

Pubs are continuing to give out free spikey stoppers that prevent bottled drinks being tampered with.

Lollipops are also being handed out at the end of the night.

Research has found that the lollipops reduce the likelihood of violence erupting.

The yellow card warning scheme is initially being introduced in Richmond, Catterick Garrison, Colburn, Catterick Village and Brompton-on-Swale.

Sixty pubs, off-licences and supermarkets have signed up for the initiative.

Plans to introduce the scheme in Leyburn and Middleham are being discussed.