DRUNKEN yobs behaving violently and anti-socially in Crewe and Nantwich were targeted at the weekend as Operation Yellow Card came to the borough.

The innovative scheme was hailed a success with 16 people, including four women and several juveniles, being arrested on Friday and Saturday night.

In Nantwich, four men were arrested in connection with the serious assault on a 35-year-old man after officers arrived quickly on the scene and called for medical assistance.

More than 25 officers involved in the operation carried yellow cards listing unacceptable behaviour, from threatening or swearing at passers-by to urinating in the street.

Because of the V music festival in Staffordshire, the mobile police cells that are usually used to detain offenders were replaced with cells at Crewe Magistrates Court.

Chief Inspector Robin Crorie said: "The second night of the operation was extremely busy and I am disappointed to note yet again that alcohol played a significant part in the behaviour of those arrested.

"While we continue to work in partnership with the licensing trade and other agencies in the strategic crime reduction initiatives, for example to educate young people about alcohol abuse, we will also continue to enforce the criminal law where offences are committed.

"Operation Yellow Card is an important element of police tactics, one that is fully supported by the general public and it will therefore continue across Cheshire."

Inspector Alan Ingram of Crewe Police said: "It was very successful although there are not the problems in Crewe and Nantwich that there are in other towns because of the success of the PubWatch scheme."