A MAJOR police operation to tackle binge drinking and alcohol-related violence in East Lancashire begins this bank holiday weekend.

'Nightsafe' is a response to the government's recently announced plans to get tough on the problems which blight many town centres and communities.

Over the weekend, police will be conducting test purchases in shops to ensure alcohol is not served to under 18s, swooping on gangs of youths loitering in trouble spots, rigorously enforcing street drinking bans and sending out high visibility patrols.

Officers will also speak to licensees and mangers to remind them of their responsibilities and tell them that they will consider closure orders if there are problems.

Alcohol accounts for half of all violent crime and 70 per of accident and emergency unit admissions at peak times.

Assistant Chief Constable Julia Hodson said the problem was not just a policing issue and that many young people consider binge drinking socially unacceptable.

But she added: "Our communities are fed up of the aggressive behaviour of alcohol-fuelled youths and the drunken vandalism that is a consequence of binge-drinking.

"Police officers in Lancashire are all too familiar with people who drink themselves to a point where they lose self-control.

"By drinking to excess these people make themselves liable to become the cause or victims of crime.

"These irresponsible people take up a disproportionate amount of police time and resources, drawing officers away from local communities.

"We want people to have a good night out but we want them to make sure their behaviour does not impinge on the ability of others to do likewise.

"The operation is an intelligence-led response to problems identified on previous bank holiday weekends.

"It will be the first of many that demonstrate our commitment to reducing alcohol-related disorder throughout the country."