NEW Year celebrations in Swindon went off relatively peacefully again this year – but there was a lot of litter left in the streets to clear up the following morning.

Hundreds of revellers descended on the pubs and bars in the town centre and Old Town to see in 2012 – and police say the majority behaved well.

However, some revellers failed to clear up after themselves, leaving streets strewn with plastic cups, takeaway packaging, half-eaten food, cigarette packages, and even burnt-out sky lanterns.

On Saturday night into Sunday morning, police laid on extra high-visibility patrols in busy areas and also had extra manned police vans, so arrested people could be taken to the police station for processing without officers being taken off the beat. Superintendent Gavin Williams, who visited Swindon and Chippenham on the night, said Swindon was quieter than in previous years, and although most people acted within the law, some were arrested for minor assaults and other drink-related offences.

“It was absolutely fine. There were the usual minor incidents of drunkenness but they were swiftly dealt with and the vast majority were really well-behaved,” he said.

“The town centre was fine, and it was exactly the same in Old Town.”

The police also worked in partnership with other agencies and individuals, including door staff and the Great Western Ambulance Service.

A spokeswoman for GWAS said: “It was a busy night for the ambulance service but not in any way more or less than previous years. It was pretty much as we planned for, and there weren’t any single incidents that particularly stuck out for us.”

Among those seeing in the new year in New Town was Charlotte Macdon-ald, 21, who was visiting various bars with her friends.

Charlotte, of Haydon Wick, said: “The year 2011 was not that great. I lost my job and we’ve all been hit by the recession so I hope the next 12 months will be better.”