A CHRISTMAS crackdown on under-age drinking, binge drinking and alcohol-fuelled violence has been launched in South Lakeland, reports Luke Dicicco.

The Have a safe and violence-free Christmas campaign that proved so successful last year has been launched again, with Cumbria police and Cumbria Trading Standards set to pay particular attention to under-age drinking with a series of test purchase operations.

The police-led campaign which is being run across the country will see a greater high visibility police presence in town centres across the district, in particular Kendal, Windermere and Ulverston. Officers are also set to implement new powers under the Licensing Act 2003 which came into force last week to target high risk' premises and ensure landlords and shop owners are playing their part in tackling drunken disorder, violence and under-age drinking.

Cumbria police's licensing officer for South Lakeland John Brooks said the police would be taking a zero tolerance approach to alcohol-fuelled disorder and violence during the campaign.

"Such behaviour is illegal, disrespectful and will not be tolerated," he said.

"This campaign also targets pubs, clubs, shops, off-licenses and supermarkets that sell alcohol to kids or drunken people."

South Lakeland District Council's licensing and enforcement officer Dave Spedding called on revellers to play their part in reducing alcohol-related problems by moderating their drinking.

He said beer mats and posters are being distributed to pubs, clubs and off-licenses in the hope that customers will follow that advice and enjoy the festive period safely and responsibly.

Chairman of the South Lakeland Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership echoed the sentiment.

"This campaign has some hard-hitting messages and aims to ensure that people are clearly aware of the consequences of too much alcohol through this we hope to encourage people to have a safe and violence-free Christmas," he said.

The campaign also involves Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, SAFE Domestic Violence project, Cumbria Ambulance Service and Westmorland General Hospital.