POLICE in Lancaster are to step up their battle against drunken thugs following a weekend of violence in the city centre.

The arrival of thousands of new students in the city's busy pubs saw a massive increase in trouble and the police have vowed to crack down.

Several people were taken to Royal Lancaster Infirmary following a number of incidents around in the city centre.

In one incident two 22-year-old men were set upon during an attack on Ulster Road, Bowerham. They were taken to the RLI after being treated by paramedics at the scene.

Another man, aged 30, was left bleeding heavily from head injuries after being attacked in Slyne Road.

A 21-year-old man was assaulted during an incident at Lower Church Street and a 20-year old suffered cuts and bruises to his face following violence in North Road.

The proprietor of one city centre venue said: "It was a very busy weekend but we knew it would be with the students coming back. I'm bracing myself for this weekend. Not only is it Friday the 13th, it's also a full moon! There's always more trouble during a full moon."

A police spokesman said that people on a night out should take care to avoid confrontation and added: "If anyone is assaulted it is vital they report the incident to the police or these people will go unpunished. We can only take positive action if these crimes are reported to the police."

In a bid to crackdown on late night violence the police have teamed up with the Lancaster District Community Safety Partnership, which includes the council, licensees, probation and youth services.

And they plan to use exclusion orders to stop persistent troublemakers from going into the city centre pubs and clubs.

A new Pubwatch scheme will be set up in the city's 42 pubs on November 30 in a attempt to root out the troublemakers, with the photographs of offenders being widely circulated to ensure they stay away.

The city's students are also being encouraged to steer clear of trouble with a Walkaway Leaflet initiative.