Security stepped up for Mad Friday rush
Extra police officers and volunteers will be out in Leeds today, making sure party-goers stay safe on what has become known as 'Mad Friday'.
It's one of the busiest days of the year, with more than 100,000 people expected in the centre.
Shaun Walker is in charge of the Business Against Crime in Leeds partnership (BACIL), which sends street marshalls out day and night to support the police.
He told us you can feel the change in atmosphere on Mad Friday:
"The city centre is really, really busy. The bars are really busy.
"From lunchtime onwards you will see the groups in tradtiional Christmas jumpers out and about in force. And it builds and it builds and it builds. All the bars, all the security, everything's all geared up for it."
The street marshals have been heading out for the past couple of weekends to provide extra eyes and ears on the ground, and Shaun says they're always kept busy:
"We had somebody who'd just stolen a lady's handbag - £800 Gucci handbag and all its contents. She was caught by the street marshals.
"Last weekend we had one of our most prolific shoplifters, who was our most wanted. She got 31 weeks in custody and is banned from the centre."
He also says that, as well as the usual alcohol-related trouble, this year the team have got new concerns:
"I was in a meeting yesterday with the guys that do the Leeds area for the Counter Terrorism Team.
"Obviously it's an ongoing threat, and it's something that we are aware of. It is there constantly and it is something that come 2016 we're getting in place some regular training sessions so everyone is up to date with everything."
Police in Leeds District generally receive around 500 calls in an average 24-hour period, but say they expect that to rise by about 50 per cent over the weekend, with a significant proportion of the increase being alcohol-related calls.
Teams of police officers, special constables and police community support officers will be on patrol in the city centre across a wider ‘footprint’ than their normal weekend operations.
They will be working closely with council staff, licensees, door staff, British Transport Police, Yorkshire Ambulance Service and third sector agencies such as the Street Angels.
Chief Inspector Chris Matthews, who oversees the policing of Leeds city centre, said: “The last weekend before Christmas can traditionally be very busy for the police, but we have planned accordingly and have additional officers in place to keep people safe and deal with any incidents that do occur.
“We know from experience that much of the increase in calls we receive will be to incidents where alcohol is a factor. We would urge people to pace themselves and drink sensibly to avoid leaving themselves vulnerable or at risk of getting into trouble.
“We’d also encourage people to plan their journey home in advance and stay together with their friends. Only take licensed taxis and make sure you have enough money to get home."