POLICE are to crackdown on brawling drunks after a surge in late night violence in Bury town centre.

In the first five weeks of the new year, there were 113 drink-related offences, with 77 per cent involving fights or assaults that left people injured.

Now, under Operation Otterburn, the police are to get tough with the thug drinkers as strict town centre drinking laws come into force.

The move will see police officers flood the centre of Bury on Friday and Saturday nights from 10pm through until the early hours of the morning, the peak times for drink-fuelled crime.

Video surveillance vans will be used to film criminal damage and violence on the streets as it happens. And special bins will be positioned around the town centre for discarded or confiscated bottles of booze.

Officers on foot patrol will lay down the law, enforcing the street drinking ban and visiting bars, pubs and clubs, speaking to the licensees.

The crackdown starts on Friday and will continue until further notice.

As well as reducing crime, police are keen to relieve the fear of crime for many people who visit town centre bars and clubs at the weekend simply looking for a fun time.

Sergeant Bruce Howard, of the Operational Policing unit, said: "I would urge people to be sensible when drinking in the town centre.

"Drink-related violence and criminal damage will not be tolerated and anyone caught in the act will be arrested."

Between January 1 and February 5 this year, there were 113 drink-related offences, 77 per cent of which led to violence where victims suffered minor injuries.

The key times for such incidents are Friday and Saturday nights, between 10pm and 3am.