POLICE are urging pubbers and clubbers to "be brave and walk away" from trouble as part of a campaign to cut drunken-violence.
South Wales Police chief superintendent Julian Williams — the head of police in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot — made the call as part of the new One Punch Ruins Lives drive, which is aiming to change attitudes about night-time violence.
The campaign is focusing on the long term impacts one thoughtless punch can have, both for the victim and the offender.
Mr Williams said: "One stupid, drunken punch is all it takes for someone to ruin their victim's life and their own life.
"Violence is totally unacceptable in any situation and excessive alcohol is no excuse.
"I strongly urge people who want to enjoy a night out in our vibrant city centre and towns to take responsibility for their own actions, be brave and walk away from aggression and violence.
"Those who ignore our warning and refuse to change their behaviour will face arrest, being banned from pubs and clubs and a criminal record which could seriously damage a person's plans for the future." He added: "Violence will not be tolerated in Swansea, Neath or Port Talbot's night-time economies."
The campaign is targeted particularly at 18-to-25 year olds — more than six-out-of-ten of victims of violence are in that age group, as are 40 per cent of offenders.