A SNIFFER dog will be brought in to assist officers in their crackdown on violence and disorder on the streets of Skipton.

During the last few weeks the town has seen an increase in offences after pub and closing times and police are now pledging a zero tolerance.

Twenty-one arrests were made over Friday and Saturday - around twice the normal figure - with the majority of these for violence and public order offences.

Although the police's main focus is on violent offenders, the dogs will help them sniff out any people carrying illegal substances.

Hand-held cameras will also be used to monitor the activity of night revellers.

Inspector Dave Cochrane said: "We have seen a rise in sporadic violence which has resulted in large scale arrests."

He said that officers on the streets would be coming down hard on offenders.

"In recent weeks there has also been an increase in violence being used against police officers, an offence which carries a prison sentence.

"The courts will take a very dim view against offenders who are violent to members of the public service," warned Inspector Cochrane.