Street drinking bans are helping police tackle street crime and antisocial behaviour in Oxford.

The city council used new legislation to introduce the bans in mid-November and Thames Valley Police have used the new powers more than 50 times.

Alcohol-free zones give the police the power to make drinkers hand over cans or glasses. They face arrest, a court appearance and fines of up to £500 if they refuse.

In Oxford, officers have used the powers to confiscate glasses and bottles from people leaving pubs.

The city council's executive member for crime and community safety, Susan Brown, said: "People leaving pubs with glasses risk severely injuring themselves and others, and we can already see how the alcohol bans are working to make our streets safer."

There are six alcohol-free zones in Oxford.

They are:

Cornmarket Street, Queen Street, Bonn Square, New Inn Hall Street, Frewin Court, George Street, Shoe Lane, St Michael's Street, Gloucester Street, Friar's Entry, Magdalen Street, Victoria Court, Red Lion Square, St George's Place, Gloucester Green, Chain Alley, Gloucester Green Bus Station and Gloucester Lane

Little Clarendon Street and Wellington Square

Blackbird Leys Shopping Parade

Magdalen Bridge and The Plain

Manzil Way, St Mary and St John Churchyard, Chapel Street, Union Street car park, and the section of Cowley Road from Union Street to Magdalen Road

The grassed area on Fisher Row, south of Park End Street, between Park End Street and Hythe Bridge Street, and the grassed area opposite Upper Fisher Row, and adjacent to Hythe Bridge Street.

The scheme is being trialled for 12 months.