Extra officers will patrol town centres over the festive period

The Safer Lanarkshire initiative coincides with the start of the festive season but will run until April.

There will be a heightened police presence in known trouble spots and officers will visit shops and licensed premises targeting under-age drinkers.

Taxi-marshals will be employed outside pubs and clubs and revellers will be warned about drink-spiking.

The Strathclyde Police divisional commanders for North and South Lanarkshire told the BBC Scotland news website that they wanted local people to enjoy the festive season but also stay safe.

Ch Supt Anne McGuire said: "We have no wish to spoil people's fun.

"However, at this time of year guards are down, people are maybe drinking more than normal. They are not as alert and are going out a lot more.

"We want to take action to ensure they do this safely."

Nobody wants to end their night in the accident and emergency unit Ch Supt Anne McGuire Strathclyde Police

Her counterpart in South Lanarkshire, Ch Supt Tim Love, added: "The last thing we want is to have people locked up in the cells over Christmas.

"We want people to go out and enjoy themselves but be safe, look after each other, drink sensibly and get home safely."

The commanders also hope to reduce incidents of alcohol-fuelled violence and disorder.

Ch Supt Love said: "Last year we ran a smaller safety initiative over a month in Hamilton town centre and during that time there were no serious assaults in that area.

"We want to expand that success across Lanarkshire."

A safety campaign reduced assaults in Hamilton town centre

The force is working in partnership with local trading standards officers and will carry out spot checks and test purchasing at licensed premises and off-sales.

Both police chiefs say that it is often when the pubs and clubs close, and people are waiting around for taxis, that trouble flares.

They hope to tackle this with taxi-marshalling systems, designated safety zones in town centres, and more high-visibility police patrols.

Officers will also focus their efforts on reducing the number of young people drinking in the streets.