A NEW war is set to be waged against drunken violent yobs across the Bolton area.

A police van equipped with CCTV spy cameras will patrol the streets for the first time tomorrow night.

The vehicle, dubbed the "hoolivan", is armed with state-of-the-art camera equipment to video boozed-up troublemakers in Bolton and Farnworth town centres and Little Lever.

And GMP chiefs say it could provide vital evidence to convict thugs of public order offences and vicious assaults.

The pioneering scheme comes after year-on-year crime figures showed a small increase in the number of serious woundings in the town, set against a seven per cent reduction across the force.

Chief Inspector Alan Greene said: "There's nothing wrong with going out and having a good time but when some people drink to excess they cause trouble.

"Often, from a silly drunken fight, people are left with terrible life-affecting injuries. We will not stand for this. Obviously we hope that the presence of the van will also act as a deterrent."

Up to 14 foot patrol officers will take to the streets from the early evening on Friday and Saturday in a bid to quell potential violence among revellers.

The high-profile police presence will see uniformed officers on patrol along Bradshawgate and Deansgate from early evening on Friday and Saturday through to last orders.

After pub closing time the officers will follow crowds onwards to Bolton's nightclubs, with the "hoolivan" shadowing them to record potential flash points.

Officers will also be on view in the Market Street area of Farnworth and Little Lever's High Street.

The pioneering scheme -- codenamed Operation Siren -- comes as police chiefs continue a year-long battle against boozers who turn violent, committing public order offences and assaults in the town.

Today council leaders welcomed moves to clamp down on alcohol-related crime.

Cllr Bob Howarth said: "Anything that discourages drunken yobs from wandering about committing crime has got to be a good idea.

"The idea that you can excuse bad or violent behaviour because someone has had too much to drink is just not acceptable. People need to be held responsible for their actions.

"It's quite unacceptable that people should be in fear of their lives because of a few drunken idiots."