DRUNKEN revellers will be turned away from pubs and bars this festive season in an attempt to cut crime, violence and antisocial behaviour.

Bar staff at 25 nightspots will wear badges to warn drunks they will not be served in the run-up to Christmas.

The ‘We Serve Drinks Not Drunks’ campaign is taking place in towns and villages across west Oxfordshire.

Organised by the Nightsafe initiative, it aims to tackle alcohol-related disorder, late-night rowdiness and fighting.

Lesley Semaine, owner of the Royal Oak, in High Street, Witney, backs the campaign.

All her staff will be wearing badges with the message from now until the New Year.

She said: “We are pleased to offer our support to this campaign over Christmas as responsible drinking is something we take very seriously to protect our staff and customers.

“We work closely with Thames Valley Police and district council licensing officers throughout the year to keep on top of any issues arising in licensed premises in the town centre.”

Terry Sullivan, landlord of the Punchbowl in Woodstock, is supporting the campaign.

He said: “You can normally tell if someone has had too much to drink through their behaviour – how loud they are and if they can get to the bar without bumping into everyone else.

“I think it will work because people will see the badges and ask what it’s all about.”

Bar staff in the district have a track record in tackling drink-related incidents.

Last December and January there were 18 alcohol-related incidents in west Oxfordshire, compared to 53 the year before.

They hope to cut that even further this year.

Verena Hunt, cabinet member for community safety and chairman of the West Oxfordshire Community Safety Partnership, said: “This initiative aims to remind bar staff during the busy festive period of the consequences of selling alcohol to those customers who have already had enough to drink.

“We are really pleased to see so many licencees on board with this scheme across Witney, Woodstock, Carterton, Chipping Norton and Eynsham.”

Oxford’s Nightsafe initiative is running a five-week radio campaign to encourage people to drink responsibly.