ROWDY revellers are to be rounded up by the police as tough new town centre drinking laws come into force.

The crackdown on alcohol-fuelled violence and crime will see police officers flood the centre of Bury on Friday and Saturday nights through until the early hours of the morning.

Video surveillance vans will also be used to record offences as they happen.

Operation Otterburn has been launched after figures revealed alcohol-related crime in Bury town centre is rising.

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.

As well as reducing crime in the town centre, police are also keen to relieve the fear of crime. The crackdown starts on Friday (Feb 20) and will continue until further notice.

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

Special bins are due to be positioned around the town centre for discarded or confiscated bottles of booze.

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."