Rowdy street drinkers were targeted in Streatham as police and a councillor encouraged off-licence owners to stop selling single beer cans.

Off-licences are being asked to join a new scheme by agreeing to not sell single cans in a bid to cut drunkenness.

The move is part of a push to deal with aggressive street drinkers who intimidate or threaten people especially around Streatham High Road, Mitcham Lane, Greyhound Road and Gleneagle Road.

Yesterday, a group of councillors and the police went along the high road to encourage retailers to join the 25 off-licences that have already signed up to Responsible Retail Agreements (RRA).

Councillor Jack Hopkins, cabinet member for public protection, said: "Residents are sick and tired of problems caused by street drinkers in Streatham and are overwhelmingly supportive of the steps we are taking to tackle the issue."

Lambeth police’s inspector Nick Fallowfield said: "We have been taking measures through our licensing team and with the local authority to resolve the problems our residents face, while supporting those who have an addiction through the outreach workers."

The council’s licensing sub-committee recently included a ban on selling single cans as a condition of the licences of some shops.