A night out on the town; MAYOR JOINS POLICE CRACKDOWN.

Byline: By ROB KENNEDY

IT'S not very often you see senior politicians and police officers out on the town.

But that's what happened on Friday night, when North Tyneside's mayor and a top policeman braved the cold to join revellers in Whitley Bay.

But it was far from a night on the tiles for John Harrison and Chief Supt Steve Storey.

They were out in the drinking district of the town as part of a crackdown on boozy yobs.

Mr Harrison said: "I wanted to see first-hand issues that local residents have raised with myself and what the council can do to further assist the police.

"I want to thank Chief Supt Steve Storey for inviting me along to tonight's operation.

"We already have a safe borough, one of the safest in the country, but we both acknowledge we can do more."

The mayor joined police at around 10.30pm in the seaside town.

There have been some problems in the past with drinkrelated disorder and the police and council are keen to make sure people going out in the area feel safe.

Mr Harrison said: "North Tyneside Council can do more and that's why I'm launching a three-point plan to target hotspots across the borough.

"I would like to see more effective CCTV, including more visible targeting of areas identified by residents as problem areas.

"We also want a more visible presence from council enforcement officers, such as licensing and trading standards, with a view to working with licensees to reduce binge drinking."

The mayor today also announced an immediate review of how North Tyneside Council's licensing committee uses the powers given to it by government legislation and how it listens to residents concerns on licensing issues.

He added: "I am not ruling anything in or out at this stage but the people of North Tyneside can be certain I will make sure the council uses all of its available powers to support the police and partners in tackling the issues around anti-social behaviour and binge drinking.

"I want people to come to our towns and pubs to have a safe, enjoyable night out and I want our residents to be confident that all agencies are pulling together by making our borough the must visit capital of the North East."

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FRONT LINE: Mayor John Harrison