POLICE have issued a stern warning to anyone planning on causing trouble on the streets of Worcestershire in the build-up to Christmas.

This weekend is predicted to be the busiest of the year for pubs, clubs and bars across the county, and with 37 per cent of all violent crime committed in West Mercia linked to alcohol, police are cracking down on drunkenness with extra officers out on patrol.

Detective Chief Inspector Jennie Mattinson said, while most people going out over the festive period only want to enjoy themselves, alcohol-related violent crime does traditionally increase over Christmas.

“It is the minority that don’t know how to behave when they are drunk that ruin it for everyone else and it will be these people we will be targeting this weekend with increased patrols in the region,” she said.

“Being drunk is no excuse for becoming involved in violent crime.

“People need to take responsibility for their behaviour when they are drunk.

“People who can’t behave themselves know who they are and they can get help if they can’t change their drinking habits on their own.”

Any problems with drunken behaviour can be reported to police on 101, or 999 in an emergency.