NINETEEN people were arrested at public houses and nightclubs across Edinburgh and the Lothians over the weekend as police launched a crackdown to improve public safety over Christmas and the New Year. Licensed premises in Dalkeith and Edinburgh were the target of teams of officers and sniffer dogs on Friday and Saturday nights.

The raids were aimed at stamping out drug-related and violent crime. A quantity of drugs, knives and a baseball bat were among the items seized. Two other people, including a doorman, were also detained for questioning. A spokesman for Lothian and Borders Police said: ''These high level police activities, which are designed to discourage criminal behaviour and improve public safety, are due to continue.''