A MAJOR drive to curb drink-fuelled violence in the heart of Scotland's capital is set to be unveiled today.
Police, council and health chiefs will join forces to tackle the "bevvy culture" they claim blights Edinburgh city centre.
Regular trouble-makers, badly run licensed premises, irresponsible shopkeepers and cheap drink deals will all be targeted un
der a new action plan.
There are also plans to introduce the expanded use of test purchasing schemes, CCTV cameras, joint initiatives between council and police officers, and more on-street marshals for taxi ranks.
The first violence-reduction programme for the city is planned to run for the next five years.
Figures released earlier this year revealed one nightclub was visited by police almost 250 times in the space of 12 months.
The report states: "Hotspot mapping for crimes of violence clearly shows a connection between areas with high availability of alcohol and high incidence of violence.
"While the strength of Edinburgh's night-time economy is good news, the availability of alcohol and its misuse by a minority, gives real cause for concern," it says.
Superintendent Ramzan Mohayuddin of Lothian and Borders Police, said: "While Edinburgh is fortunate to have lower levels of violence than many comparable cities, there is no room for complacency.
"The profound impact violence has on victims, perpetrators, witnesses and families is obvious."
Councillor Paul Edie, the city's community safety leader, said: "We plan to prevent violence from occurring, help those at risk of becoming a victim or offender and treat those who are already committing violence or are being victimised."
The full article contains 268 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
