LANCASTER Police have vowed to crack down on alcohol-fuelled violence in the city centre before it tarnishes the city's reputation.

Shocking new statistics reveal that more than 70 per cent of violent assaults in the city centre occur at the weekends and 81 per cent of these take place between 10pm and 3am.

The obvious link between violence and alcohol has prompted the police to look at new measures to get tough on drunken thugs.

And they have promised to nip the problem in the bud before the increasing levels of violence spoil the city's reputation as a safe place to visit.

Police chiefs have conceded that the explosion of new licensed premises and superpubs (there are now 4,000 more drinking spaces in the city centre than three years ago) has had a catalytic effect on the late-night violence and they've vowed to re-examine licensing practices.

The police are joining forces with the city council, the probation service and licensing magistrates to develop a dynamic Community Safety Partnership. Chief Supt Stuart Kirby explained: "It's quite obvious that the vast majority of violent crime in the city centre occurs at chucking out time at the weekends. The city now attracts a lot of people from outside who come here to drink and the environment is markedly different from three years ago. It's still a safe place to visit but we realise we have to act now as that reputation hangs in the balance. We're making more arrests earlier in the night to stop problems developing and there are certain recognised hot spots. We can map out where things might happen and plan accordingly. This way we design out areas which could be flashpoints for violence."

The city's biggest trouble spot is North Road, where there are four late licence premises in close proximity.

Chairman of the Police Authority, Dr Ruth Henig, emphasised the need for the community to work together.

"The city centre environment has changed so quickly it's quite astonishing," she said. "In York they have put together a strategy where every new licence application is considered within a community safety framework. Here in Lancaster it's been happening in isolation but we're looking to get together with the licensing magistrates so that we all know what each other is doing.

"There will come a time in Lancaster when we will have to stop the proliferation of pubs and clubs but it's a tricky job. I want to reassure local people that we recognise what's happening and are working hard to address it."