COUNCILLOR URGES BARS TO BAN GLASS BOTTLES AND GLASSES, AND SUPPORT POLYCARBONATES THIS COULD SAVE THE NHS £1.7 BILLION A YEAR

Following my fact finding visit, out on patrol with Inspector Tom Shaw and Grimsby Telegraph to the nightclubs and bars in Cleethorpes Town Centre I have now completed some research into injuries caused glass and bottle attacks and the effects are staggering.

According to the website, www.pop-campaign.co.uk/ they claim that:

• There are 1.2 million incidents of alcohol-related violence per year.
• 40% of A&E admissions are alcohol-related.
• Rising to 70% between the hours of midnight and 5AM.
• This costs the NHS £1.7 billion per year.

These are not just statistics; these figures potentially affect us all through higher taxes, and if we are victim or family member imagine the emotional stress and wellbeing – it is now time to act!

Yesterday, the Grimsby Telegraph reported on my visit to the Cleethorpes to see how alcohol affects the behaviour of the local public.

According to the newspaper, Councillor Steve Beasant was pleased he discovered Amishi only served alcohol in plastic bottles and “glasses”.

He said: “I wanted to find out first-hand in my role as portfolio holder; if people are safe when they are drinking in the area.

“I was really pleased with what I saw at Amishi. In there they are thinking about things seriously with polycarbonate bottles and ‘glasses’.

“Hopefully, this will cut down on some serious injuries involving glass that we have seen in the past.

“There is an enormous cost to the NHS, as well as the police who have to take numerous witness statements and collate evidence, and don’t forget the premises themselves who can potentially loss trade if they get a bad name because of any bad publicity.

“I will be taking this to the full council to see if can be implemented in all of the bars.”

Insp Shaw, Humberside Police’s alcohol violence reduction officer would also like to see plastic bottles used in all of the bars of Cleethorpes.

“We are trying to get all of the bars to purchase these polycarbonate bottles to make it safer for the public.

“People are not tempted to use them as weapons and there will be no glass about for people who take their shoes off and cut their feet.

“I hope all of the bars take on polycarbonate bottles and ‘glasses’ as we have had, in the past, a couple of incidents where people have used glasses as weapons.”