Row over Glasgow pub glass ban

A row has erupted over plans to get Glasgow pubs to use only toughened glasses within six months.

An initiative, launched in the city today with the backing of Strathclyde Police, aims to encourage hosts to move to tougher glass in a bid to reduce glassings.

But Patrick Browne, chief executive of the Scottish Beer & Pub Association (SBPA), slammed what he called "the blanket ban", and called for action to be focused on "those premises where there is an identifiable problem".

He added: "The association has had no contact from Strathclyde Police about the lauch of this initiative — especially surprising given we have over 150 pub members in the Glasgow area."

He added that he thought it was optimistic to expect such a policy to be implemented at the 1,800 licensed premises in Glasgow by 1 November.

"I don't how how they plan to do it, especially since there is no legal basis for the move," said Browne.

Speaking at the launch earlier today, Strathclyde's assistant chief constable Ruaraidh Nicolson said: "While thankfully incidents are rare, this will again bring down the number of glassing attack victims."

Paul Waterson, chief executive of the Scottish Licensed Trade Assiciation, also backed the campaign."As responsible licensees we have a duty of care not only to our customers, but also to our staff. We must take every opportunity to minimise the potential for assaults and injuries in our pubs and clubs."

In 2009, there were 52 glassing attacks leading to serious injury in the Strathclyde Police area.

The Glasgow Licensing Board and the Late Night Operators Asssociation are also backing the campaign.

In 2006 the SBPA won a Judicial Review against the Glasgow Licensing Board when it attempted to introduce a blanket policy banning glass from the city's pubs.