NORTH Wales Police have launched their 2016 ‘Think Safe, Drink Safe Christmas’ campaign.

This year’s focus is to encourage revellers to have a good time and look out for their mates over the party season.

The campaign, which is being coordinated by partner agencies across the region, is aimed at ensuring visitors to town’s across the region can enjoy a safe and relaxed night out during the festive period.

It also aims to promote safe and responsible drinking and to prevent and reduce levels of alcohol fuelled violent crime and anti-social behaviour across north Wales at this time of year.

During this busy period the NHS have to deal with an additional number of alcohol related incidents that put added pressure on already over-stretched services.

It is also one of the busiest periods for emergency services. Between 18 December and 2 January 2016, North Wales Police received 3,714 ‘999’ calls and 12,315 ‘101’ calls.

Of all the crime reported to police in December 2015, 9.5 per cent was alcohol-related.

Superintendent Jane Banham of North Wales Police said: “We want people to enjoy the festive season, but we know from experience that at this time of year some people will come to harm due to alcohol excess, and it is the emergency services and local councils who are left picking up the pieces.

“The aim of this campaign is to ensure that those who consume and sell alcohol take responsibility for their actions. Our teams will be distributing cards to encourage safe consumption of alcohol and working with our licensed premises to ensure safe and enjoyable evenings for all.

“We make a significant contribution to keeping our town centres safe so people can enjoy a good night out, but we must get the message across that people need to take greater responsibility for themselves and their friends to reduce the likelihood of them being injured, becoming a victim of crime, or being involved in violence through excessive drinking.

“North Wales Police, working with our partners, will ensure that pubs, clubs, shops and drinkers are complying with the law. Those who don’t will be dealt with robustly.

“The message is simple – think safe, drink safe.”

All agencies will be using social media to help raise awareness of the campaign and social media users are encouraged to follow the hashtag #ThinkSafeDrinkSafe