LATE night rowdyism in Ilkley could decrease now that local authorities have new powers to curb anti-social behaviour.

But one local councillor believes Government proposals for 24 hour drinking in pubs and clubs might halt any improvement.

From next February, Bradford Council will take over all the licencing of food and drink and other entertainment.

This means owners of entertainment premises will be able to apply to the council for all types of licences.

At present, if someone is holding an event serving alcohol and food, they have to apply separately to magistrates for a liquor licence and to the council for an entertainment licence.

When deciding whether to grant licenses or not the council will be able to take into account public safety, crime and disorderly behaviour and nuisance caused to nearby properties.

Ilkley District Councillor Martin Smith is a former member of the Bradford's licensing panel. He said he welcomed the new powers granted to local authorities.

He said that the council had been trying to curb disorderly behaviour in the centre of Ilkley for a while but did not have enough power to do so.

"We have been trying to do that for some time with little effect for some years, but now it is more firm and I hope we can police it more effectively," said Coun Smith.

He said that premises in Ilkley whose customers cause nuisance and vandalism when leaving at closing time could be at risk of having their licence taken away.

Coun Smith said: "The noise and nuisance to neighbours on Leeds Road and Skipton Road is horrendous."

But he said he was not happy at the Government's proposal to introduce 24-hour drinking to pub and clubs. He said although he did not expect pubs in Ilkley to remain open throughout the night, drinkers leaving clubs and 3am or 4am in the morning would be likely to cause disturbance.

And one Ilkley resident who did not want to be identified said she was so concerned about the behaviour of youths in Ilkley town centre on Friday and Saturday nights that she decided to investigate the matter herself.

The woman, from the Railway Road area, went into the town centre on a weekend evening to see how anti-social behaviour was being dealt with by the authorities.

She said: "I'm a parent of a teenager myself and the behaviour that I have seen is frightening."

She also said she witnessed drunken groups of teenagers crowding the streets and fighting amongst themselves, and was told of youngsters hanging round shop doorways plaguing adults to buy alcohol for them.

The woman said: "I believe that more of a police presence in Ilkley would prevent lawless behaviour like this."

The council is holding three neighbourhood forums throughout the district during this month to talk to the public about the new licensing policy. They will be held at:

Shipley Library on Tuesday, September 21, at 7pm.

Banqueting Suite, City Hall, Bradford, Wednesday, September 22, at 7pm.

Keighley Disabled People's Centre, Thursday, September 23, at 7pm.

Copies of the policy can be found on the council's internet web site at (www.bradford.gov.uk/council/licensing).