Safer Streets for Christmas
North Ayrshire's busiest towns look set to be safer this festive season thanks to a five-week Christmas crackdown.
Throughout December, North Ayrshire Council will be joining forces with Strathclyde Police, Strathclyde Fire and Rescue and various other local agencies for the annual Safer Streets Initiative.
In a bid to tackle alcohol-related disorder and provide extra reassurance to those enjoying the festive cheer, the Safer Streets initiative will see extra patrols in North Ayrshire's busiest towns over five weekends.
North Ayrshire Trading Standards will carry out licensed premises checks alongside Strathclyde Police to crack down on the sale of alcohol to under 18's, while designated Taxi Marshals will be on hand in Irvine, Largs and Saltcoats to ensure festive party-goers can get home safely after a night on the town.
The Council's Antisocial Behaviour Investigation Team will also be proactively visiting residents, while Youth Services will be working with the police to engage with young people in the town centres.
North Ayrshire Council's spokesperson for Community Services, Councillor Peter McNamara, said: "As towns across North Ayrshire become increasingly busy with festive shoppers and party-goers, we want to make sure opportunist thieves and alcohol-related crime don't dampen spirits during the season of goodwill.
"We will be working closely with local licensees, taxi drivers and our partners at Strathclyde Police, Strathclyde Fire and Rescue and North Ayrshire CCTV to make sure people have fun but stay safe this festive season."
The Council's Director of Community Safety, Chief Inspector Roddy Newbigging added: "Towns across North Ayrshire become increasingly busy in December.
"With high visibility policing, mobile CCTV patrols and night time taxi marshals, we hope to help ensure local people are safe this festive season."