POLICE officers across Bury responded to more than 120 incidents on a ‘challenging’ New Year’s Eve.

Between 7pm and 7am on the night of celebration, 122 incidents were reported to officers.

Of those, 30 were recorded as crimes, while 16 arrests were made.

The incidents dealt with ranged from people being drunk and disorderly, to drug offences and reports of people missing from home.

Officers also responded to two serious assaults, one in Goldfinch Drive, where a person suffered cuts to their face after being glassed, and another in Elton Brook Close.

Increased numbers of officers were on patrol across the town centre, as well in other areas, including Ramsbottom, Whitefield and Prestwich.

But, on the whole, it was a successful night for the force.

Chief Inspector Jamie Collins, who spent the evening on patrol, said: “It is a really challenging night for us, and clearly our services were stretched.

“The staff did a fantastic job to keep the public safe so that everyone could enjoy the celebrations. The town centre was really busy but we only had a couple of arrests. Everyone was well behaved.”

The New Year’s Eve operation was the latest in a busy period for Bury’s police officers, and came just ten days after thousands descended on the town’s bars and pubs for ‘Mad Friday’.