WITH this weekend set to be the busiest of the year for pubs, bars and clubs across Worcestershire, extra police will be out on the streets dealing with any trouble.

West Mercia and Warwickshire Police are launching Operating Christmas Presence this weekend, keeping party-goers safe and issuing fines from £60 up for people causing trouble after having too much to drink.

Chief Inspector David Gardner said police had a number of penalties at their disposal to deal with drunkenness.

“At this time of year, we’re sure people have got better things to spend their money on and we would rather this stayed in their pocket,” he said.

“But if people can’t behave themselves after they have had a few drinks we may be left with no alternative.

“We will also be bringing people back to the station for a night in the cells to sober up and for more serious offences we can also issue cautions or even look to prosecute people.

“We want people to go out and have a few drinks and we want people to have a good time.

“But we also want people to consider their limits and know when to call it a day.”

Police have also issued advice to help people stay in control in a night out including being careful when drinking in rounds as this may result in people having to keep up with the fastest drinker in the group.

Drinkers are also advised to have a meal before they go out and snacking between drinks to help the body absorb alcohol. Alternating alcoholic drinks with soft drinks will also cut down the overall alcohol intake.

Keeping track of how much has been drunk can also help and a free smartphone app counting drinks is available at www.drinkaware.com.

Police have also said swapping pints for bottles or large glasses of wine for smaller glasses or drinking low-alcohol drinks such as spritzers or shandy will also help drinkers stay in control.