Police have launched a Christmas campaign to stop drunken punch-ups - as they prepare for busy nights such as the notorious Black Eye Friday.

Officers are reminding party-goers to stay out of trouble as the festive cheer flows on probably the busiest month for nightlife.

Social media messages are being sent out from the force flagging up the message: Don't spend Christmas with the cops.

Extra patrols are also usually sent out on the busiest nights.

These will include Black Eye Friday - the notorious date when workers finish for their holidays and trouble is sometimes sparked as bars and clubs are packed with drinkers.

The force, which refers to it as "festive Friday", has not confirmed which date is being treated as such - but December 22 is likely to figure in the arrangements.

The campaign to stop Christmas violence was discussed at a meeting of senior crimefighting figures.

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Webster said: "We've got a whole
Mark Webster, assistant chief constable Christmas violence campaign.

"It features a number of videos, including some video of inside a cell."

Officers mount extra patrols in places such as Carlisle city centre, Workington and Barrow town centres to deter any potential troublemakers from causing problems.

Crime commissioner Peter McCall referred to Botchergate in Carlisle - one of the city's nightlife hubs - as he discussed the campaign.

"I think that is a good initiative," said Mr McCall

"It's a surprise to me just how busy somewhere like Botchergate is at 3am."

The social media messages will run throughout December until New Year's Eve.

Police say the short film clips will feature officers who year-after-year have been called to incidents starting off as a fun Christmas night out - but ending in violence.


Superintendent Justin Bibby Speaking outside the meeting, Superintendent Justin Bibby said: “What we certainly don’t want to do is tell people not to have fun.

"Everyone deserves to enjoy Christmas and take the opportunity to celebrate with friends and family.

“While the majority of people do act sensibly, there are unfortunately others who become violent.

"These people can see their nights take a dramatic turn from the good time they hoped to have.

“Do you really want to spend your Christmas in one of our cells? Or worse, in hospital?

"Or do you want to spoil the next night out because you are banned from all pubs across the county?"

He added: "We hope that our Christmas messages, which will come from a range of different officers, will make people think more about these possibilities.

"These are situations which could easily be avoided if those involved walked away from a situation before it got to the point of violence."

The meeting - of the commissioner's public accountability conference - was held at Cumbria's police headquarters at Carleton Hall, near Penrith.

Violent crime - the latest results

Crime figures presented to the meeting showed violent crime carried out against people was up 11 per cent in the 12 months to October, compared to the year before.

The force stressed this included a wide range of offences, including pushing and shoving, harassment and abuse with no physical assault.

Mr Webster said the majority was violence without injury.

The force flagged up how there had been a rise in assaults - without injury - on police officers.

Mr Webster added: "To be punched in the face is not part of anyone's job."