Police said the first phase of an operation to reduce late night crime and disorder in West Oxfordshire had resulted in a 45 per cent decrease in alcohol-related incidents.

The operation involved Thames Valley Police and the district council’s licensing teams working in partnership with town centre licensees and proprietors of late-night refreshment establishments.

Acting Sgt Matt Gorman, from the Witney neighbourhood team, said: “During the first phase, which ran from September 1 to October 8, police officers issued banning orders to 12 drunk and disorderly people, which excluded them from re-entering the town centre within a set timeframe.

"The police and district council licensing officers conducted 37 checks at licensed premises and carried out drug swabbing, as well as inspecting hackney carriages on the taxi rank. Overall in Witney during this period we saw a reduction of 351 incidents down to a total of 273.”

Councillor Jill Dunsmore, Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Communities said: “The opening of Marriotts Walk next week will substantially alter the night-time economy in Witney, so it’s great to see partnership working delivering results and providing public reassurance.

“The Safer Communities Partnership re-launched Nightsafe in Witney earlier this year and is now rolling it out to the rest of the district’s licensees, which ties in well with this operation.

"We are optimistic that the next phase of the operation, which starts at the end of the month, will continue to bring good results as proactive activities, including test purchasing operations, alcohol education workshops and using the drugs itemiser at Nightsafe premises, will continue.”