POLICE have drawn up early plans to help prevent incidents of drunken disorder during the Christmas and new year festive season.

The Christmas Presence operation gets under way from the end of this month, continuing through to New Year’s Day.

Command teams across the seven local policing areas – North Warwickshire, South Warwickshire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin, North Worcestershire and South Worcestershire – have been preparing their operational plans since early August.

Their main focus will be on preventing disorder, violent crime and anti-social behaviour in city centres during the busiest festive nights.

Chief Inspector Helena Bennett, the operation’s co-ordinator, said a two-pron-ged approach was being ad-opted based on education and enforcement.

She said: “Christmas Presence is all about working with our professional partners in issuing advice and assistance to the general public and also to those in-volved in running the night-time economy.

“This will be ongoing throughout the period and is starting early to help us deliver our messages to the public.

“At the same time, extra officers will be on night patrol during key dates wh-en pubs, clubs and restaurants will be most busy.

“It’s hoped a high-visibility presence will help deter trouble and we’ll be keeping an eye on proceedings to ensure people can enjoy a night out without fear of harm.”

Thousands of posters, leaf-lets, and beer mats have been distributed urging people to take responsibility for their actions – to go out safe and to get home safe – with much of the strategy concentrating on alcohol harm and drinking responsibly.

Police Safer Neighbourhood teams will also be utilising their local Twitter accounts alongside their other community engagement activities to issue advice and information.

Chf Insp Bennett added: “We want everyone to enjoy their nights out, being safe, while not interfering with the enjoyment of others.

“Drunken or violent disorder will not be tolerated. We know from past experience that when offenders sober up in a police cell, they are full of regret barely able to remember or believe their actions of the previous night.

“Our message is quite simple – have a good time but don’t drink to extremes, stay in control and avoid trouble.

“That way everyone will be able to enjoy Christmas.”