TRANSPORT cops have issued a warning to boozy revellers to keep “a clear head” on the rail network this Friday - after an increase in alcohol-related incidents around the festive period.

British Transport Police (BTP), ScotRail Alliance and RSSB said of the 7,419 recorded alcohol-related incidents on or around the railway in the period of 2016 to 2017, 16 per cent of those took place over the festive period between November 24 and January 2, 2017.

A total of 30 incidents were recorded at Glasgow Central and 16 offences at Queen Street during this period.

The figures also revealed that 21 people have been killed due to alcohol-related incidents at the platform edge. A further 91 people were also seriously injured over the last 10 years.

While passengers boarding and alighting trains were involved in 469 alcohol-related accidents in the last five years.

As a result ScotRail Alliance, BTP and RSSB have come together to warn the public to take extra care when travelling on or around the railway network, especially when they’ve been drinking alcohol.

Danger points for intoxicated passengers include not heeding the warnings of the level crossings, trips and slips at the platform edge, and straying onto the railway tracks.

David Lister, safety and sustainability director for the ScotRail Alliance, said: “We do everything we can to make moving around our stations as easy and safe as possible, however, excessive drinking does often play a role in many of the incidents we see on our network. We want people to enjoy their evenings and get home safe and this campaign will hopefully act as a gentle reminder to take extra care when out enjoying yourself this Christmas.”

Transport cops will also step up patrols.

Superintendent David Marshall said: “We’re not in the business of spoiling anyone’s fun, but we want to make sure everyone has a safe and enjoyable festive season. We do see a rise in anti-social and public order offences in the run up to Christmas and the New Year and sadly much of this is a result of partygoers drinking to excess and behaving in an unacceptable way.

“We advise people to plan their journey in advance, and we will be stepping up our patrols on rail services and at stations over the coming weeks.”