A novel approach to combating drunken antisocial behaviour could see residents call time on any expansion of Clapham’s bar and nightclub “strip”.

Councillors are considering plans to label Clapham High Street and surrounding roads an alcohol “saturation zone” – the first area of its kind in Lambeth – following residents’ complaints.

The changes would mean residents or statutory bodies could reject new applications for alcohol licences, unless the bar or restaurant owner could prove their business would not have a negative effect on the area.

Existing bars would also be blocked from extending their alcohol licences.

There are 67 licensed bars and restaurants and a further 19 off-licences in the proposed zone.

The zone would run along Clapham High Street from the junction with Clapham Park Road to Bedford Road and Clapham North station, including several of the adjacent side roads.

It would then run north along the Pavement to Grafton Square, and along Clapham Common South Side to its junction with Crescent Grove.

Police said 57 per cent of all reported crime and antisocial behaviour around Clapham High Street takes place inside or near licensed premises.

Police.uk, the crime statistics website, said there were 86 reported crimes in Clapham High Street last month, including 14 violent crimes and 15 incidents of antisocial behaviour.

Councillor Rachel Heywood, cabinet member for community safety, said there was growing concern among residents and traders about the “saturation” of licensed premises, saying rowdiness and drunken behaviour “would not be tolerated”.

She said: "People should be able to visit Clapham at night without fear of abuse or intimidation from groups of people who have had too much to drink.

"But this is not intended to be something punitive to businesses. We want a safe and successful environment, and that is for businesses, too."

But Mat Berna, general manager at the Frog pub, next to Clapham Common, said bar owners were already working with community groups to increase safety.

He said: "If you are drunk at 3am then it is not a good idea to keep drinking.

"But we are improving the security in this area. If we keep working to improve it then we can get to the correct level of security. It would be a shame to reduce the licensing hours here."

Peter McDonald, area manager at the Belle Vue pub, insisted crime was more common in parts of Clapham High Street, where clubs and bars existed side-by-side.

He said antisocial behaviour was caused by people coming in from outside areas.

He said: "I say ‘live and let live’. I would not oppose it if someone wanted to extend their hours.

"I want licensing to be more lax. But businesses should respect their neighbours and do what they need to do to protect them.

"It is quite crazy [in Clapham] on a Saturday night. They call it ‘the strip’. Sometimes it is a bit unruly. But I would say we are different to the late night bars."

Anyone affected by the proposals can make their views known by emailing the council at licensing@lambeth.gov.uk by September 7.