Pubs and bars which sell alcohol to underage children face being shut down as part of what the government calls the biggest ever crack down on drunken behaviour.
Police and trading standards officers have been given £2.5m to target those who sell alcohol to under 18s, bars and clubs which promote rowdy conduct and drunken individuals who cause violent disorder.
The government has unveiled a series of hard-hitting posters to promote the campaign featuring the words 'get drunk and disorderly, get arrested, get an £80 fine'. One of the posters spells out £80 in vomit, while another displays a man urinating cash down a drain.
For licensees selling to children, penalties of up to £5,000 will be served, while the worst offenders risk a maximum fine of £20,000, 6 months imprisonment or both.
The nationwide initiative comes just 10 days before the introduction of new licensing laws which allow for 24-houring drinking.
Critics say the regulations will actually increase anti-social behaviour but ministers claim binge-drinking will be reduced because of the greater powers given to authorities to tackle drunken disorder.
Culture secretary Tessa Jowell said: "Not only will this campaign be the biggest ever - it'll have the sharpest teeth too, thanks to the tough new police powers in the Licensing Act.
"Rogue licensees and those who engage in drunken yobbery can consider themselves on notice from today - the party can continue, but if you step out of line, you can expect the full force of the law to come down on you."
Michael Craik, chief constable of Northumbria Police, added: "This campaign is a co-ordinated crack down on alcohol-fuelled violence and disorder occurring in our town centres - such behaviour is illegal, disrespectful and will not be tolerated."
The Conservative party, meanwhile, is today seeking an 11th hour delay in the introduction of the new licensing rules.
It claims many garage operators are planning to exploit a loophole in the regulations allowing them to be classed as convenience stores and apply to sell drinks after the current 11pm cut-off.
The party has tabled a motion calling for the Act to be delayed for six months until June 2006.
Shadow culture secretary Theresa May said: "We have attempted everything possible to prevent the introduction of these deeply unpopular laws.
"Daily, we discover fresh reasons why it is crazy for the government to press ahead in just two weeks time; the news that as many as one in ten premises might be trading illegally without a license is yet another."
