Liquor bans introduced in Balclutha and Milton six months ago are starting to work, resulting in a drop in arrests over the holiday break, police say.
Sergeant Martin Bull, of Balclutha, said there had been a few arrests in the weeks leading up to Christmas but trouble had decreased since then, with just one person given a warning.
He believed the message about how unacceptable antisocial and alcohol-fuelled behaviour is in public places was slowly getting through.
The ban was introduced last July, after repeated concerns from police and others about the rubbish, broken bottles and trouble in key public places in both towns.
Sgt Bull hoped the ban would pay dividends for the community.
The liquor ban is in force 24 hours a day, seven days a week and prohibits the consumption and/or possession of alcohol in key parts of Balclutha and Milton.
They are:
Balclutha: Town Hall street area, Charles St and Clyde Sts next to the Clutha Information Centre.
Renfrew St from Clyde St to James and Paisley Sts.
Lanark St playground and car park area.
State Highway 1 from the Clutha Vets corner to the Night'n Day store.
Arthur Strang boat ramp area.
Milton: Gray St from Union St to Ajax St, including the public toilet areas.
Union St from the Springfield Rd-Cross St intersection to the Ossian St intersection.
The Milton Cenotaph area.
Moore Park.
