A new initiative has been launched at 21 top clubs across Edinburgh to make the city’s nightlife safer.

The scheme, called Unight, aims to enforce a zero tolerance policy against drugs, assaults, and weapons, and is supported by the Lothian and Borders Police.

Its member venues will share CCTV footage and stills taken of anti-social customers. Punters who are thrown out of one, will be barred from all the others. Troublemakers will then be prohibited from entering participating establishments for a set period of time, with those caught in possession of drugs facing bans of a minimum of three months.

The initiative, launched on Friday 26 October, enjoyed a successful first weekend and was welcomed by the clubbing community.

Aiden Walke, manager of Mood on Broughton Street and joint chair of the Unight group, said: “We’ve had positive feedback from both customers and the police.”

Lothian and Borders Police have commended Unight’s foundation, offering the scheme their full support as well as legal guidance. Superintendent Ronnie Liddle applauded the group’s direct approach. He said: “The message is clear, if you turn up with drugs, assault a member of staff or customer or cause damage to the premises you will be banned from all 21 nightclubs."

Following the lead of similar partnerships recently set up across the UK, Unight’s members hope to promote higher standards of supervision and safety across the city’s nightspots.

Sarah David, manager of Cabaret Voltaire and co-founder of the project said: “We have entered into this partnership to try and provide an industry standard, to ensure that every late night venue works in close conjunction with each other in driving known troublemakers out of the city centre.

“I feel that for Edinburgh to grow as a whole there has to be more unity within the scene. I truly believe that with the new generation of club owners, it is our duty to implement certain standards for the future of clubbing, and enable all of our patrons to drink in a safe environment”

Prior to Unight’s official launch its members assisted police in a three week crackdown on knife possession in the city centre. Bouncers worked alongside the police, searching revelers outside pubs and clubs.

Weapon seizures across the Lothian and Borders area revealed that one in 70 people carry knives on a night out, despite a 15 per cent fall in the number of people charged with carrying offensive weapons in Edinburgh since April.

An Edinburgh knife culture, described as “completely out of order” and “madness” by Craigmillar councillor Mike Bridgeman, is being targeted by the police led Safer Scotland campaign.

Although violent crime in the city has fallen over the past year, Inspector Neil Phillip, police liaison officer for the Safer Scotland campaign, believes that “one knife or bladed weapon on the street is one too many” and warns that young people in the city are particularly at risk.

He said: “Statistical research shows that the most common profile of victims and offenders are males aged between 16–25 and most students fall into this category.” He added: “Friday and Saturday evening are the times when most people are at risk of attack.”

Some students are concerned. Biology undergraduate Fred Cobb said: “Edinburgh is a great place to go out, but as a student you’ve sometimes got to pick your night and club carefully, I think students will definitely benefit from schemes like Unight.”

Club manager Mr Walke recognises that students do not always feel safe in Edinburgh’s clubland, but hopes the Unight project will encourage them to venture out to non-student nights. He said: “I hope it will encourage students to feel safe, and to mix with the wider clubbing community.”

The premises included within Unight are Lava & Ignite, Base, Cabaret Voltaire, City Night Club, Club Ego, Faith, Mood, Opal Lounge, Opium, Siglo, Stereo, Studio 24, Subway-West End, Lulu, The Liquid Room, Why Not, Club Massa, The Bongo Club, The Hive, Shanghai, Le Monde and Espionage.