The former Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair said cities need to be "recovered" from the impact of around the clock opening hours and called for a cut in the number of pubs and bars. He suggested many town centres had effectively become no go areas for middle aged people at night and that the new licensing laws introduced by Labour must be reviewed. Sir Ian, who was head of the Met when opening hours were relaxed in November 2005, said he raised concerns at the time but was effectively ignored by the Government - Daily Telegraph
Boozed-up girls have helped fuel an explosion in street violence, it emerged last night. The number of women convicted of assault has risen by more than 150 per cent in ten years - with 22 found guilty of attacks every day - The Sun
Lady lager drinkers will soon be able to enjoy 'spike-proof' clear beer in a bottle. Brewing giant Molson Coors will roll out the low-calorie beer in August in an attempt to reverse plummeting sales in British pubs. The new beer will be sold only in bottles in another move to make it more difficult to be interfered with - Metro
Three Cardiff pubs have been given an award for their responsible management of late night drinking. The Thirst Class awards were presented by Cardiff Council and South Wales Police to the Old Arcade, Church St (winner of small premises award), Henry's Café Bar, Park Place (medium premises) and Platinum/Pure on St Mary Street (large premises). Bars and clubs in Cardiff were monitored over 12 months, and points are deducted for alcohol-related crime and disorder incidents on the premises - The Guardian
When Sonya Adams booked a table at one of Manchester's swankiest restaurants to celebrate her birthday she didn't expect to leave with a bitter taste in her mouth. But after a £180 meal for six at Vermilion Restaurant and Cinnabar, in east Manchester, that's exactly what she got - when staff refused to serve her a glass of tap water. Sonya, 51, says she was told by a manager at the Sport City restaurant - which claims on its website to be 'the most luxurious and opulent' in the city - that it was against policy to serve free water. But the restaurant's owners now risk finding themselves in breach of new legislation, brought in just a week ago, which makes it an offence for alcohol retailers to turn down customers who ask for a glass of tap water free of charge - Manchester Evening News