THE police have officially launched an operation to cut town centre crime and violence over the festive season —by handing out bubble blowers.

Operation Sherry, which will run throughout December, will include the unusual step of handing out bubble pens to revellers.

The blue and orange pens, which double up as blowers, will be handed out by Police Community Support Officers and Town Centre Ambassadors to customers leaving pubs and clubs at the end of the night.

It is hoped that people will focus having some fun blowing bubbles as they go home, rather getting into trouble. Last year, police gave out lollipops in Bolton town centre to keep people quiet in a similar campaign during the festive season.

The novel idea of the bubble pen was launched by the Be Safe Partnership, which includes Bolton Council, the police and fire service.

Cllr Elaine Sherrington, Bolton Council’s Executive Member for Cleaner, Greener, Safer said: “The run up to the festive period should be full of fun, not problems with drunkenness or rowdy behaviour Operation Sherry aims to keep everyone as safe as possible during this time.”