FIGURES released this week reveal that 235 arrests and 554 visits to licensed premises were made by police across Herts during the Christmas campaign to crack down on alcohol-related street crime. A total of 55 fixed penalty notices were issued for alcoho

FIGURES released this week reveal that 235 arrests and 554 visits to licensed premises were made by police across Herts during the Christmas campaign to crack down on alcohol-related street crime.

A total of 55 fixed penalty notices were issued for alcohol-related disorder offences.

During the six-week campaign which went into the New Year there were 11 per cent fewer assaults - 615 offences of causing actual bodily harm - than the same period last year with the number of arrests for being drunk and disorderly going down 20 per cent from 96 to 74.

The cold spell of weather played its part in helping keep incidents at a low level.

Assistant chief constable Simon Parr congratulated his officers for their professionalism, and added: "Most drinkers showed a responsible attitude which certainly made our job easier."

Eighty-eight test purchase operations were carried out and in 10 of them alcohol was sold to under 18s.