NEW police initiatives have been brought in this year in a bid to tackle the problem of drunken disorder and anti-social behaviour in Warrington town centre.

According to Chief Inspector Steve Littlejohn, the summer months of May, June and July have historically been the peak of violence and disorder.

But this year, Cheshire Police have brought in Operation Negator, a multi-agency initiative that brings in more officers to police the town centre every weekend.

Along with organisations like Warrington Borough Council, Warrington Borough Transport, trading standards and environmental health, the project aims to make a long-term difference in the fight against alcohol-fuelled disorder.

Meanwhile, Operation Yellow Card targets particular weekends throughout the summer, such as bank holidays. This operation brings in even more officers from throughout Cheshire and arms them with yellow cards, listing a range of offences deemed unacceptable, to distribute to troublemakers as a final warning.

Ch Insp Littlejohn said: "The aim really is to ensure that next year does not repeat what has gone on previously. And it's been good because we have been able to lead other parties into doing something about it."

During a Yellow Card weekend, 40 to 50 officers are dispersed in pairs to deal with incidents on the street, while teams of police and borough council licensing officers visit pubs to make sure that there is no trouble inside and that the licensees are fulfilling their legal obligations.

"We all go in together so that we have one discussion with the licensee and most of them are fine with it. They actually like the idea because the good licensees want everybody to have to take the care that they do," said Ch Insp Littlejohn.

He added: "It's only those that don't have such an interest in the town that don't like it."

The police are also speaking to Warrington Hospital, which is now running a survey to find out who is coming in to A and E, where the trouble spots are and if it is drink-related.

Private hire taxi companies are also helping to solve the problem and are now introducing marshals to their offices to help prevent drunken clashes when people are waiting for taxis.

Ch Insp Littlejohn said: "We have started getting some good feedback from people who have been out and about in the town at night. The taxi companies say that their customers think that it's really good.

"The idea is to create places of safety to wait. You know if you've had a drink and you've got to wait to get a taxi you need to go somewhere that's organised and that's what we're trying to create."

Possible ideas for the future are to encourage pubs, clubs and taxi offices to serve coffee to people while they wait.

It is also hoped that pubs and taxi companies could be linked, by radio, to the emergency services so that offenders can be followed and trouble stopped before it happens.