THE Met is cracking down on street drinking in Greenford after residents complained of boozers swearing and urinating in the street.

Officers stopped 83 street drinkers and seized 140 bottles and cans of alcohol in the area last week, in the first week of Operation Bottle Top.

Two people have been slapped with a £60 fine for refusing to hand over their liquor to police.

Officers said residents of Greenford cluster, which includes the wards Greenford Broadway, Greenford Green, North Greenford, Northolt West End, Northolt Mandeville and Perivale, had complained over the last year about large groups of drinkers congregating, using bad language and urinating in the street.

Inspector Dominic Lemonde, who is in charge of Greenford cluster, said: "Residents across Greenford told us that street drinkers often congregate in groups which can be intimidating, especially when they gather in alleyways or secluded footpaths.

“Complaints connected to these groups included noise, littering, bad language and using some areas as public toilets.

“We have listened to public concerns and have prioritised this issue over the summer period."

Operation Bottle Top will run until August 22 and any residents experiencing problems caused by street drinkers are encouraged to contact police on a dedicated phone line or via Twitter.

Insp Lemonde added: "In most cases offenders hand over their alcohol upon request but in two cases individuals refused and so where issued with a £60 fixed penalty notice for failing to surrender their alcohol in a controlled drinking zone.

"Additionally there have been three arrests as a result of these patrols."

All stops conducted are sent to Paul Murphy of Ealing Council’s Community Safety Team, who may force offenders to attend alcohol support services.

Amey, the council-contracted street cleaners, and drug and alcohol support service RISE (Recovery Intervention Service Ealing), are also patrolling with officers.

The dedicated Operation Bottle Top phone line is 07824 894 395 and residents can follow the operation on Twitter @MPSGreenfordSNT, @MPSNGreenford, @MPSNortholtWest