Venice is mulling a ban on carrying alcohol in the streets in its latest bid to combat the impact of excessive tourism and disruptive behaviour that is infuriating residents.

The city is considering fines for anyone found to be carrying alcohol after 7 pm - even if it is sealed in shopping bags.

The move is designed to target drunk tourists who party throughout the night in squares or public places in the popular Lagoon City without a “justifiable reason”.

Venice’s local police chief, Marco Agostini, said the proposal was not designed to target shoppers leaving their neighborhood supermarket but rather “someone who goes around drunk and has a bag with three bottles of beer inside”, ANSA news agency reported.

More than 20 million tourists visit the historic centre of Venice every year but a growing number of residents are fleeing the tourist city, leaving just 55,000 people living there.