What the papers say - August 15, 2007

A police chief has called for the legal drinking age to be raised to 21 following the killing of devoted father Garry Newlove in Warrington, Cheshire. Chief Constable Peter Fahy said the combination of cheap, strong alcohol and some parents' willingness to turn a blind eye had left his force fighting a "constant battle" against drink-induced violence and loutish behaviour - Daily Mail ​

Communities are under siege from a hardcore of antisocial, under-age drinkers while parents, drinks companies and the advertising industry ignore their duty to tackle the problem, said Chief Constable Fahy - The Times​

Serious violent attacks in pubs and nightclubs in Devon and Cornwall have soared by more than half since the introduction of 24-hour drinking. The region's police are the first force to produce a detailed breakdown of such offences since the change. The West Country force said 67 serious violent crimes were recorded at licensed premises in the 12 months following the relaxation in November 2005, compared with 43 such offences in the previous 12 months - Daily Mail ​

Having even a small beer belly can increase the risk of heart disease. Experts from the University of Texas suggest the waist-to-hip ratio is a more important factor in measuring heart disease risk than body mass index or waist circumference alone - Daily Express​

Actress Jane Seymour has been branded a "neighbour from hell" by residents living near her Somerset country mansion, after she successfully applied for a 24-hour alcohol and entertainment licence to host corporate gatherings - Independent​

British supermarkets are under renewed pressure to clean up abuses in their supply chains after a Guardian investigation revealed that 40 Bulgarians found by the authorities to be illegally employed and exploited by a gangmaster in Cornwall were picking and packing vegetables destined for Tesco and Morrisons - Guardian​