Drinking could be outlawed in Lampton Park under plans being considered by police.

Booze is already banned in central Hounslow, which became a Controlled Drinking Zone (CDZ) in January 2006, and cops fear lager louts are looking further afield for new haunts.

Heston & Cranford's new sector inspector Lorraine Hibbitt said Lampton Park had suffered a 'slight knock-on effect' and it might be necessary to extend the zone.

She said: "We don't want to stop people drinking responsibly with friends but nor do we want the park to become a hang-out for local alcoholics who will deter other users."

In her first interview since taking over from Insp Steven Edwards last month, Insp Hibbitt also gave the Chronicle her views on some of the hot topics affecting police

YOUTH GANGS

"We work closely with schools and run initiatives to engage with youngsters, including after-school judo classes run by one of our officers. We've recently set up youth panels to ensure children have a say about policing because they're affected by crime too."

KNIVES

"We're already tried out knife arches at Cranford Community College and we're hoping to introduce them periodically at all our secondary schools. Teenagers tell us they carry knives for protection but these weapons can be used against them.

"It's important to make them aware of the dangers and carry out random searches but I don't think locking up youths caught with knives is the answer. Children make mistakes and do we really want to put them through the criminal justice system for an error of judgement?"

RACISM

"This is an immensely diverse community and we enjoy good links with most groups. Being so close to Heathrow, it's also quite a transient community and we often have to learn about new languages and cultures, and build new links. There is some low-level racism like name-calling but we're lucky enough not to suffer a serious problem."