IT WAS a favourite place to sit for the city's street drinkers but a dramatic way to deter them is now being used.
Six-inch-high metal balls on columns have been put on top of a low wall where drunks would perch and intimidate passers-by.
And a business which the wall borders has been so keen to see the alcoholics move on it has helped pay for the deterrent.
The metal studs are outside the Rinkway Autocentre on the corner of Normanton Road and Hartington Street.
Ian Reid is the area manager for Mr Tyre, which owns the Autocentre.
He said the drinkers "congregate together overnight and during the day, intimidating customers and people walking past them".
"Most mornings when our workers get in they are filling up a full plastic bin bag with empty beer cans that have been thrown on to our premises.
"It is a sad way to live a life but it is what they do and we felt it was important to act to protect our business and the people in the area."
The move comes as police crack down on the problem of anti-social behaviour and street drinking in Normanton and Pear Tree.
As well as the metal studs, low fences around Grove Street car park, another hot spot for street drinkers, have been removed.
And a new dispersal order has been imposed, which gives police the power to move on two or more people if they are causing problems in the area.
Residents in Normanton Road yesterday gave their backing to the measures.
Zahir Iqbal, 28, of Rosehill Street, said the drinkers' "shouting, screaming and spitting intimidates older people".
John Challis, 60, of Normanton Road, said: "Since the fencing around Grove Street car park went up a few days ago I have seen fewer of them.
"I think they buy their drink and take it home now."
Sergeant Simon Adams said that the Section 30 dispersal order had been introduced to run alongside Operation Gershwin, which has been tackling street drinking in the area for three years.
It has seen a number of anti-social behaviour orders handed to those caught persistently flouting the law.
He said the order covers roads including Lara Croft Way, Osmaston Road, Reginald Street, Rosehill Street, Peartree Road, Lower Dale Road, Cummings Street and Normanton Road.
It gives his officers the power to move on groups they suspect are causing distress to residents.
People who ignore the order, or who return to the area when they have been dispersed, can be arrested.
Sgt Adams said: "The order gives us additional powers to tackle a range of problems in the area, including drug dealing, prostitution and street drinking.
"We have chosen the area covered by the order because it has seen the most calls to service in relation to nuisance behaviour.
"We always listen to any concerns raised by local residents and businesses and this order shows that we are committed to making the neighbourhood better for everyone."
Councillor Ranjit Banwait is the city council's cabinet member for neighbourhoods and Streetpride.
He said: "We know that crime and the fear of crime continue to be key issues for local people and, with our key partners in the city, we are committed to tackling all types of crime and anti-social behaviour.
"The section 30 is a useful tool and we hope it improves the quality of life for our residents and traders and that is demonstrates how seriously we take all reports of antisocial behaviour."
