More than 8,300 penalty notices were issued for disorder over the last 12 months by West Midlands Police, an increase of 12% on the previous year.

The majority were for public order offences and being drunk and disorderly in a public place.

In many areas officers have virtually a 'zero tolerance' approach to disorder at night, giving rowdy drinkers an £80 ticket at the first sign of trouble.

Police said it was likely the higher tier fines woulkd be increased to £100.

These are for offences such as being drunk and disorderly and committing criminal damage.

Ch Insp Steve Anderson, from the force's operations department, said: "West Midlands Police have taken a leading role in the development of penalty notices, including the juvenile scheme, which allows notices to be issued to offenders as young as 10.

"The ticket scheme has proved invaluable to officers, allowing them to issue a ticket and carry on patrolling.

"Previously it was likely they would be taken off the streets for long periods completing bureaucratic paperwork."