PLANS are being drawn up to make town centre violence a thing of the past.

Police have started by focusing on John Street, where fights are common as revellers queue for taxis and kebabs.

An action team has been set up of police officers, Swindon Council representatives and members of the town centre management unit to search for solutions.

One idea has already been put into practice.

Taxi companies have been told not to use John Street as an unofficial point to pick up fares.

And the team is looking at improving the provision of late-night buses.

It is hoped that valuable lessons can be learned from looking at how other towns have solved similar problems. The team will be looking at Brighton in particular.

Insp Wendy Grant, who is in charge of central Swindon, will be spending time in the town centre on a Saturday night to get a first-hand perspective on the situation.

She said: "We want to know if what they have done in Brighton would work here."

The team is already having some effect.

"So far, the taxi scheme has been successful," said Insp Grant.

"The aim is for people to come to Swindon for a night out and have a really good time.

"We don't want to stop clubbers enjoying themselves, we just want to stop a few people from spoiling it for everyone else."

Others ideas being discussed include a poster campaign warning against binge drinking.