The first prosecution in Bradford for failure to stop drinking in one of the public places designated as an alcohol-free area will surely be welcomed by the general public of this district.

It is disturbing for Bradfordians and creates a poor impression for visitors to have people who are the worse for drink sprawling or staggering around at high-profile locations like Centenary Square and Forster Square Station, swigging from bottles and cans.

The purge on rowdy drinkers, announced some weeks ago, was a sound move in principle. However, it has been obvious to anyone who takes a stroll around the city centre that some people were not taking it seriously. In fact some have been continuing to drink within sight of the police headquarters in Centenary Square.

So the prosecution of a 52-year-old man which resulted in a £60 fine and an order to pay £40 costs will help to send out the message that this is a measure which is intended to be taken seriously.

It is a timely moment for the announcement that Bingley town centre is to be added to Bradford and Keighley as places covered by the drinking ban, with Shipley to follow. Both towns have problems with alcohol-related rowdiness.

The chairman of Bradford Inner City Licensees' Association has called for even tougher measures, including distributing photographs of anti-social drinkers around off-licences and seeking their co-operation. Although few stores are likely to quiz customers about where they intend to consume their purchases, any measure which can improve the ambience of the city and satellite towns and make them more welcoming places is worth investigating.