POLICE are cracking down on drunken hooligans in Congleton and Alsager with a new initiative aimed at targeting problem areas.

Under Operation Nightlife extra police officers are drafted in to hotspot areas on Friday and Saturday nights to carry out high visibility patrols.

Officers issue warnings to people whose behaviour is causing problems, and they are arrested if they ignore the warnings.

The campaign was launched by Congleton and Vale Royal Police in response to evidence about the extent of violent crime.

Almost half of such crime in the local area takes place on Friday and Saturday nights.

Alcohol is linked to four out of 10 incidents of violence, eight out of 10 assaults and nine out of ten acts of vandalism.

Since the campaign began 15 people have been arrested, six of them in Congleton, Alsager and Sandbach.

"We average five arrests each weekend, but the patrols are intended to have an impact and increase public reassurance," said Chf Insp Paul McHugh.

"If no-one is arrested and behaviour on the street improves we're very happy.

"There has been a marked change in the situation since the operation began.

"We're also getting a lot of very favourable feedback from local people, and reassuring the public is a priority.

"We're responding to a clear demand from the public, it's proving very effective and people are very happy with the results."

Each weekend special patrols involve three sergeants and 12 constables, as well as the regular response officers and area crime officers.