Police are gearing up to launch a clampdown on drinkers congregating in alcohol-free zones.

Hendon Central Tube station and Hendon Park are increasingly becoming no-go areas for vulnerable residents, who police say are beginning to feel threatened by the presence of heavy drinkers.

Revellers regularly verbally abuse passers-by, and loiter around the station and park, in Queens Road, during the evenings, but police say this is beginning to trickle into daytime drinking as well.

Sergeant Steve Peyton of the Hendon Safer Neighbourhoods Team said: "It's mostly during the evenings, but it's also now happening during the day.

"People are too scared to go into the park.

"It's been boiling over for at least a couple of months, but it has begun to get more frequent. We need to make the public aware it's a no-drinking zone.

"If they continue to drink, we can seize the alcohol and ask them to move away. If they refuse, we can arrest them and fine them. We can also issue an £80 on-the-spot fine.

"It's mostly eastern European groups - where it's more of a cultural thing to drink in big groups."

Police said they will be starting a clampdown operation within the next few weeks to clean-up the alcohol-free zone.

It is an offence for anyone to drink alcohol in the zone after being told not to by police. Those who persist can face fines of up to £500. The Hendon zone stretches from The Burroughs to Beaufort Gardens and from Sevington Road to Queens Gardens.