The special magistrates court will sit in Swansea each Thursday

Dedicated magistrates' courts have been set up to deal with crimes and public order offences by festive drinkers.

In addition to usual sentences, anyone convicted will automatically be considered for a banning order.

South Wales Police said incidents of violence rose 29% in December 2004 compared with the previous month.

Acting Inspector Huw Williams said the special courts would sit every Thursday in the run-up to Christmas.

"Our experience tells us that violent crime would normally go up in the Christmas month," he said.

Anyone who attempts to bring misery to others will be banned from the city centre altogether Acting Inspector Huw Williams

"This scheme is aimed at protecting the other law-abiding people who simply want to come to Swansea to enjoy themselves."

The Safer Swansea Partnership, made up of the police, local council, other agencies and businesses, has been operating an exclusion zone for almost a year.

Photographs

People convicted of certain offences can be banned for between three months and two years from 43 city centres and night clubs.

The licensed premises are regularly sent a list of names, police photographs of the offender and the duration of the ban.

As of the end of November there were 131 exclusions in force.

Insp Williams said the specialist courts would deal with cases of violence and public order offences.

Those arrested would be bailed to the following Thursday and would automatically be considered for a ban.

Insp Williams said it would provide his officers with a single point of contact and offenders would be dealt with by dedicated magistrates and court staff.