SHOCK figures have revealed that 48 per cent of violent crimes in Redditch last December were fueled by alcohol.
As a result this festive season more officers will be on borough streets to help keep people safe over Christmas,
This weekend (December 17-18) is likely to be one of the busiest of the year and as part of West Mercia’s annual Christmas Presence operation officers will be aiming to tackle alcohol related violence on the streets.
Last Christmas, the force responded to 1,005 violent crimes across West Mercia and this year officers are warning people to think more about how much they are drinking and the impact it can have on them and other people around them.
Chief Superintendent Alex Franklin-Smith said: “We’ll have extra officers out on the street to keep people safe this Christmas because while we want people to have a good time, most of all we want people to stay safe.
“People behave differently when they are drunk, they do things they would never dream of doing when they are sober.
“I urge people to think about their behaviour and the consequences for themselves and others.
“Being drunk is never an excuse for committing a criminal offence and if you get a criminal record following a night out this can impact upon your prospects for the rest of your life. It is important people take responsibility for their actions.”
The Christmas Presence campaign also looks at other festive-related issues, including burglary, problems caused by ‘pre-drinking’, handling counterfeit and stolen goods, and domestic abuse.
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