Police have launched a “zero-tolerance” seasonal crackdown on alcohol-fuelled violence in King's Lynn, with offenders facing a ban from the town centre for parts of the Christmas and New Year period.

Police have launched a "zero-tolerance" seasonal crackdown on alcohol-fuelled violence in King's Lynn, with offenders facing a ban from the town centre over Christmas.

Officers are warning that those arrested for public order offences will face strict bail conditions and curfews to restrict their movements - and an anti-social behaviour order (Asbo) or even a prison sentence when the case reaches court.

People will notice an increased high-visibility police presence in the town, with officers tasked to tackle potential disorder at an early stage.

Measures being taken include a zero tolerance approach to any form of anti-social behaviour; the use of the town centre dispersal order to move on groups of potential troublemakers; evidence-gathering to support Asbo applications; confiscation of alcohol in public places; and letters to parents of juveniles found engaging in anti-social behaviour.

Shift patterns for police officers and PSCOs have been changed to allow for more foot patrols during the day and night and daily walk-through checks are being carried out at key pubs and clubs to make sure they are complying with licensing laws, as well as checks for under-age drinkers and multi-agency visits to licensed premises.

Chief Insp Stuart Gunn, who is in charge of operational policing in West Norfolk, said: "We want everyone to enjoy their Christmas and New Year celebrations but we are reminding people to think of others when they are doing so.

"Everyone who visits King's Lynn has the right to do so without the fear of being intimidated or assaulted.

"Our zero-tolerance approach means that people who step out of line will be removed from the bar, or the club, or off the street at the earliest opportunity, spend the night in a police cell and then face being barred from the town."

Improvements have already been introduced in Lynn ready for the festive period, including better lighting and CCTV in the town centre.

The town centre dispersal order was used to move on 13 people causing a nuisance in Norfolk Street over the weekend. Four people were arrested for failing to comply with the order, two for public order offences and another for being drunk and disorderly.