SCORES of extra police officers will be on late night patrol on the streets of Glasgow city centre ahead of an influx of festive party-goers.

They will patrol dark lanes and main city centre streets as thousands of revellers descend on the area in the run-up to the Christmas and Hogmanay celebrations.

Chief Inspector Mark Sutherland, area commander for Glasgow City Centre, is urging festive revellers to "plan ahead and take care of yourself".

Police will be working with a range over partners over the coming weeks, including BTP, Community Safety Glasgow, TOA Taxis, Trading Standards, and street pastors.

Mr Sutherland said: "Our officers will be deployed and highly visible throughout the city centre in the busiest areas.

"We will have plain-clothes teams and will be assisted by the Community Enforcement Officers and mobile CCTV crews.

"We also have a range of other specialist resources who will be in the city."

"Our aim is to reassure people that the city centre is a safe place during the festive period.

"Serious violent crime continues to fall in the city centre, but there are still criminals who will target vulnerable people and use the busy festive period to commit offences.

"I would ask revellers not to give these people the opportunity by ensuring they shop safe, party safe, and get home safe.

"Together we are focused on making sure you stay safe."

City council leader Gordon Matheson said: "The Festive Safety Initiative, a partnership between Police Scotland and Community Safety Glasgow, makes sure everyone has fun safely."

rebecca.gray@ eveningtimes.co.uk