POLICE officers on Tyneside are piloting a new scheme to cut alcohol-related crime and disorder.

This will offer certain offenders arrested for being drunk and disorderly a chance to attend an "alcohol behaviour change course" as an alternative to receiving an on-the-spot fine.

Currently officers hand out an £80 fixed penalty notice for low-level behaviour.

However, certain offenders would instead pay a £40 fee for a place on the course. If they refuse, or fail to complete the course, the full fine would be payable.

Options will be explained in a leaflet given to those being handed a fine.

The initiative is being offered by the Safe Newcastle Partnership who have worked with Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Trust to write the course which will be delivered by the Turning Point charity.

The course focuses on reducing alcohol intake by educating on its impact on health and behaviour, as well as the effects on other people.

It's hoped attendees will look to change their drinking habits which will in turn cut drink-fuelled offences.

Chief Inspector Peter Bent, from Newcastle Area Command, said: "We want to offer advice and information so that people alter their drinking habits and avoid becoming involved in crime and disorder through drinking.

"Similar schemes across the country have shown that attending such diversionary schemes dramatically reduces re-offending."