It can be a very unsettling experience to have a relaxed, lively but civilised night out in the city centre with friends or colleagues disturbed by the behaviour of disruptive and perhaps even violent drunks in other parties. In fact it can be so unsettling that in some cases it can lead to a resolve never to take part in such an occasion again.

Drunks are a deterrent to the orderly majority who know how to have a good time without making a nuisance of themselves. They sour the mood of an evening and are the last thing any city centre needs when its pubs and clubs are trying to attract as much business as they can.

In that context, then, the clampdown on drunken anti-social behaviour which the police embarked on last night is bound to have been welcomed by both businesses and sensible socialisers. Why should the bingers be allowed to spoil things for everyone else?

The high-profile policing backed by £80 on-the-spot fines and powers to close drinking establishments for 24 hours are useful measures in the drive against drink-fuelled anti-social behaviour. It is important that over the Christmas period the police are out and about early to spot the potential trouble-makers and crack down on them before they reach the stage at which they become rowdy and violent.

No-one wants to spoil the party. Everyone should have a right to let their hair down and enjoy themselves. But those for whom enjoyment develops into aggression need to be weeded out before they can start to make a nuisance of themselves.