Police are continuing a crackdown on street drinking in Huddersfield town centre.

West Yorkshire Police put a 48-hour Section 35 Direction to Leave order on Huddersfield town centre as part of going efforts to reduce alcohol-related anti-social behaviour.

The order came into force at 7.45am on Wednesday and anyone who fails to move on when asked to leave by police, or who tries to come back, can be arrested.

A man was ordered to leave just minutes after the order came into force. Dispersal powers give uniformed police and police community support officers (PCSOs) the power to disperse people, if they believe that their presence or behaviour has resulted, or is likely to result, in any member of the community being harassed, intimidated, alarmed or distressed.

Anyone who is excluded from an area but who refuses to comply has committed a criminal offence and can receive up to six months in prison, a £5,000 fine or both if arrested and charged.

Wednesday’s order has been the latest in a series of initiatives to reduce anti-social behaviour in Huddersfield over the summer months including joint patrols with British Transport Police.

Insp Graham Dyson, of the Huddersfield Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “We know street drinking and related anti-social behaviour continue to be an issue of concern in the town centre, and will not stand for the behaviour of a small number of people adversely affecting shoppers, traders and residents.

“These powers give us the ability to swiftly remove those who think it is acceptable to behave anti-socially and we will not hesitate to use them.”

He added: “We are working with partners to find some longer term solutions to street drinking in the town centre, and I would urge residents to keep making reports of this type of behaviour to us.

“Anyone who has information about anti-social behaviour in Huddersfield town centre is asked to contact the Huddersfield NPT on 101 or to make reports online at www.westyorkshirepolice.uk/101livechat