And at least four people have received 12-month court imposed bans from the city's pubs and clubs.

Police have used 24-hour banning notices to stop 21 revellers from returning to the city's hotspots.

Central Highlands Region superintendent Andrew Allen said the bans were another "tool in the kit bag'' for police.

He said the bans had an impact, but complemented other tactics including local bylaw-infringement notices.

"They're good for immediate diffusion of situations to keep people away from licensed premises," he said.

"Certainly the message gets through when you're moving people on and banning them out of the CBD."

The first person to receive a court-imposed ban in Ballarat was 26-year-old Cindy Bozoski who was found guilty in September this year of punching a patron at a nightclub.

Bozoski received a 12-month ban from the city's entertainment precinct and was sentenced to six weeks' jail. She has appealed the sentence and was released on bail.

The new laws initially came into effect in December 2007. Across the state, 1848 men and 103 women have received temporary bans for obscene, drunk, and offensive behaviour, and assaults.

Police Minister Bob Cameron said the laws were introduced to tackle alcohol-related crime and keel communities safe.

"The banning notices our government introduced give police the power to respond immediately to prevent trouble before it happens so that Victorians can enjoy the great public spaces we have on offer

without unruly behaviour," he said.