ON-THE-SPOT fines have been handed to more than 100 louts across Bolton since cash penalties were introduced to drive down drunken crime.

Fines of £50 or £80 have been issued to troublemakers by police for offences ranging from unruly behaviour to underage drinking since being introduced last October

Police today vowed to continue using the fines to drive down yobbish behaviour in the run up to Easter as part of Operation Townsafe - but warned troublemakers they also face arrest.

"The fixed penalties allow us to administer swift justice and keep officers where they are paid to be - out on the street," said Chief Insp Martin Greenhalgh, of Greater Manchester Police in Bolton.

"In policing terms they have allowed us to keep resources where they are needed most and they have proved to be a reasonable and effective deterrent.

"We are committed to using fines but anyone who misbehaves in the town centre should not be in any doubt that they face arrest."

Offenders can be fined £50 for consuming alcohol outside designated areas, being drunk in the highway, using threatening words and behaviour and under-age drinking. The £80 fines can be issued for some public order offences and those deemed to be drunk and disorderly.

Anyone who refuses to accept the fine faces arrest.

Operation Townsafe will continue to run until next weekend, with dozens of officers deployed between Thursday and Sunday to quell disorder on one of the busiest weekends of the year.

Police will work alongside Trading Standards officials to carry out test purchases on bars and pubs to check licensees are not selling to under-18s.

Bolton Council's enforcement officers will also join police in handing out fines to litterbugs.

Police mobile video units will also be present in the town centre to act as a deterrent to yobs.

Cathy Savage, Bolton Town Centre Manager, said: "This sends out a clear message that we will not tolerate behaviour which ruins the image of the town centre.

"We want to ensure that Bolton remains a safe and enjoyable place to come for a night out and this is one of the ways in which we are working to do that."