Police have joined forces with health workers to stop boozers going over the top this Christmas.

The warning is part of Operation Hangover, an ongoing police campaign which aims to cut alcohol related crime.

It comes after the number of violence against the person offences rose by 21.3 per cent, from 6,675 to 8,097 between 2005 and 2006.

Police said during Christmas, the number of 999 calls for ambulances rise by 28 per cent and up to 70 per cent of A&E admissions will be drink related.

Insp John Fox, of Thames Valley Police said: "We will be carrying out high-visibility patrols in hotspot areas of violent activity and will be focusing on persistent offenders.

"Anecdotal evidence shows that people who are drunk and lose control have a higher risk of becoming a victim or an offender.

"We need people to take steps to keep themselves safe. We want people to enjoy themselves during the festive season, but we want them to do it safely.

"My message to people planning a night out is to stay in groups, think before you have that extra drink and plan in advance how you are going to get home safely."

Dr Simon Tanner, Regional Director of Public Health for NHS South Central, said: "We want everyone to have a healthy and happy Christmas celebration this year and this can only be achieved if everyone drinks sensibly.

"Many of us enjoy a drink without any ill effect but there are a growing number of people who binge drink and will suffer significant health problems now and in the future.

"Binge drinking not only has a huge impact on a person's health but also on the NHS, meaning that valuable resources this Christmas will be used dealing with the consequences of alcohol.

"This places a huge burden on the doctors, nurses and paramedics that deal with the aftermath of a heavy drinking session.

"The consequences of binge drinking are severe for anyone, but particularly if you are young.

"Accidents and assaults are common amongst young people and in the longer term can lead to cancer, strokes and even an early death."

Operation Hangover will run until mid-January and police will be tackling underage drinkers and supporting licensees who are robust with excessive drinkers.

Fixed penalty notices will be issued to people who get drunk and disorderly in a public place, damage public property or behave in a way likely to cause other people harm or distress. The campaign is supported by the Drinkaware Trust, which will be liaising with the licensing industry across the Thames Valley Police area to spread the campaign message.

Matthew Bradby, of the trust, said: "This joint campaign between Thames Valley Police and the local NHS is a really important regional campaign.

"We are pleased to be supporting this initiative to make people aware of the consequences of drinking excessively."