The Edinburgh Community Safety Partnership, The City of Edinburgh Council, Lothian and Borders Police and British Transport Police have joined forces to ensure that residents and visitors can enjoy the night-time festivities in the city centre as safely as possible this Christmas with more Christmas Presence.

A package of partnership measures will be in operation in the city throughout the festive season from 1 December. It encompasses a range of initiatives to: combat alcohol-related and violence and disorder; help people get home safely after a night out and bolster public reassurance through a highly visible presence.

The partnership measures have made possible thanks to £60,000 worth of funding from the Scottish Government as additional community safety partnership monies to tackle alcohol-related disorder and violence. They are outlined as follows:

- Transport Marshals to help people get home safely and highlight alternative night time transport options. (Transport Marshals will be located at the taxi stances on Lothian Road at Rutland Place, Lothian Road at Sheraton Hotel, Waverly Bridge, on the High Street at the Radisson Hotel and at the top of Leith walk at Baxter Place).

- Additional police officers will be patrolling on Friday and Saturday nights throughout December.

- Community Safety Officers and Environmental Wardens will provide extra patrols to support the Police.

- A joint police and Council operation to tackle alcohol-related crime and disorder in known youth alcohol hotspots, including targeting of known underage drinking haunts.

- Youth work in support of City Centre Police Unit operations at Winter Wonderland.

- Mobile CCTV unit will provide extra support to Police at hotspots within the city

- Edinburgh Licensing Standards Initiative (ELSI) to provide enforcement support for problem premises through joint working of Licensing Standards Officers and dedicated police officers from their ELSI unit. (Early evening patrols of off sales premises in early evening to ensure no underage selling is taking place; advice and support to licensees to help prevent over-consumption of alcohol and the consequent problems associated with this; late night patrols of pubs and nightclubs will use hand-held metal detectors to apprehend patrons carrying weapons.)

- Gateway checks - seizure of alcohol and weapons from youths during early evening period on main arterial routes into town - checks by police and Bus Route managers. Intelligence gathered in this way will be shared with officers in the city centre.

- Roads Policing Officers will be targeting particular areas and persistent offenders in support of the national drink driving campaign

- British Transport Police will conduct a Safe Journey operation on the rail network throughout the city providing reassurance to people travelling on public transport and to address issues of antisocial behaviour on public transport.

Councillor Paul Edie, Community Safety Leader said: "Christmas is a great time of year for people to go out and celebrate, we want to make sure this happens in a safe environment and that people are protected within the city and on their way to and from their destination. By introducing extra initiatives over the festive period we aim to reduce crime and make people feel safe and able to enjoy themselves whilst having a great time in the capital."

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said:"The Scottish Government is committed to building stronger and safer communities, where families feel safe to go out and enjoy a meal or drink in the evening without fear of being harassed by aggressive drunks or threatening behaviour.

"Sadly, there's barely a weekend that goes by without one incident or another to remind us of the importance of tackling alcohol-fuelled violence.

"I hope the projects funded through this additional money can make the city's streets safer and help people to have a more enjoyable Christmas and New Year.

"It is after all a time for enjoyment and celebration and it's important that we don't let the minority spoil the fun for everyone."

Chief Superintendent George Simpson of Lothian and Borders Police, Commander for the city of Edinburgh, said: "We want everyone to be able to enjoy themselves over the festive season but to do it safely.

"We would remind people of the dangers of drinking too much or taking drugs, and leaving themselves vulnerable.

"Make sure you enjoy alcohol sensibly and if you are out with friends, look after each other."

Alex McGuire, Chief Inspector (Operational Support) of the Scottish area of British Transport Police, said:

"British Transport Police will work closely with our partners to make sure the travelling public can travel safely to and from Edinburgh during the festive period and enjoy themselves. But we will not tolerate anti-social behaviour that spoils an evening out for others."