MORE than 400 licensed premises were visited by police as part of a week-long campaign to highlight the realities of dealing with drunkenness and alcohol-related incidents.

Officers joined forces with councils, Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service and the health service to visit pubs, bars, off-licences, takeaways and hotels.

The action came as part of the In Focus: Alcohol Harm initiative, a national campaign.

That saw police forces across the country patrolling drinking hotspots as the college and university freshers season got under way.

Over the week, 170 seizures of alcohol were made in Lancashire.

Eight warning letters were sent to licensed premises for breaching their licence conditions and an improvement notice was issued to an establishment for public safety.

Test purchase at 42 premises were also carried out. Ten failed by selling alcohol to underage customers.

Supt Stuart Noble said: “Not only is alcohol often a contributory factor to anti-social behaviour, it is also linked to violent crime, domestic abuse and child abuse.

“Alcohol harm is a social issue that we all have a stake in solving.

“Residents of Lancashire can help by not drinking excessively and by taking responsibility for themselves and their friends.”