Operation was a success say top officers

POLICE say the Christmas and New Year period was "relatively trouble-free" and have hailed their high-profile crackdown on alcohol-related crime as a success.

They praised revellers and licensees alike for the lack of trouble during Operation Christmas Presence, the West Mercia force's three-pronged attack on drink-fuelled violence, drink-driving and drink spiking.

Alcohol-related crime was lower than the last three years, with Assistant Chief Constable Ian Arundale describing the response from drinkers as "excellent".

"Those out enjoying the celebrations responded very positively to the increase in visible policing," he said.

"They have been aware of our campaign, which has put drinks mats and posters into licensed premises and used radio advertising to reinforce the key messages of the campaign.

"Licensees have been very positive in welcoming uniformed officers into their premises and in supporting the voluntary code of practice to crack down on drug and alcohol-related offences.

"It's clear our targeted high-profile operation had an effect but we're not complacent about the results.

"We are committed to carrying out similar operations throughout 2005 to ensure we build on our success and continue to drive down alcohol-related crime."

n A total of 170 people were arrested for alcohol-related offences across the West Mercia area and 32 of the new fixed penalty notices for disorder were issued.

n Alcohol was confiscated from underage drinkers and in designated alcohol-free zones on 46 occasions.

n The number of people arrested for drinking and driving also fell, even though there were more collisions.

n In total, 4.6 per cent of those people breathalysed at the scene of crashes (14 out of 299) gave a positive reading or failed to give a sample.

n Overall, 56 out of 740 people (7.5 per cent) breathalysed were arrested for drinking and driving, down from 8.9 per cent in 2003/04.

Police say they were encouraged by the fact fewer people aged between 17 and 30 were arrested.

SOUTH Worcestershire Police has revealed that between 8.30pm on New Year's Eve and 3.40am in the early hours of the next day, 12 people were arrested on suspicion of assault, being drunk and disorderly or causing criminal damage:

A man was bailed after being arrested at Ombersley Road, Droitwich, on suspicion of assault and causing criminal damage.

Two men were arrested at Crown Passage, Worcester, on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly. One was issued with a fixed penalty notice and the other was cautioned.

At 10.35pm a man was arrested at RSVP in St Nicholas Street, Worcester, and charged with being drunk and disorderly.

Enquiries continue after a man was arrested at Gresham Road, Dines Green, Worcester, on suspicion of causing criminal damage.

A man was arrested in London Road, Worcester, on suspicion of assault and released on bail.

Between 1am and 2am a man was charged with being drunk and disorderly at Tallow Hill, Worcester, another was charged with assault in Beauchamp Road, Malvern, and a third was charged with being drunk and disorderly and assaulting police officers in High Street, Pershore.

Two men were arrested in Bamboo nightclub in Tybridge Street, Worcester. One was on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly and the other for an alleged assault. The first was charged with the offence, while the second was given bail.

At 3.40am, a man was cautioned at College Street, Worcester, for assault.