PUB owners and partners in neighbouring Stirling have launched a campaign to ensure visitors in the night economy enjoy a safe festive season.

The city's Pubwatch group, supported and administered by Go Forth Stirling BID, has joined forces with police and other partners to support revellers during what is a busy period.

Safe haven initiative Safebase will be in place to support people this Friday, December 23, and on Hogmanay.

Stirling Street Pastors will be patrolling the city centre to offer assistance and look out for anyone who might find themselves in a vulnerable situation.

The police will be running Operation Steadfast with dedicated foot patrols focusing on the city centre up until January 8.

Community policing officers PC Neil Hunter and PC Stuart Gray will also have a mobile police office vehicle set up on Port Street's pedestrianised area on December 21 and 22.

The Pubwatch group involves the managers from the majority of licensed premises in the city already imposed bans on a handful of troublemakers from a “banned from one – banned from all” motto.

Neil Campbell, manager at the Kilted Kangaroo and co-chair of the Pubwatch group, said: “We are all working together to make the city a safe place for everyone to come in and enjoy the festive season.

“It’s our responsibility as publicans to make sure we do everything we can to ensure people have a good time and feel safe and secure in Stirling.

“We are proactive in sharing relevant information between premises and we act quickly to bar the small minority of troublemakers from city centre premises.”

Go Forth Stirling has secured 15 radios for pub owners and the other volunteers last year, giving them the ability to work together.