The widow of a man beaten to death by a gang of drunken yobs today called for pubs and bars to help end Britain’s binge-drinking culture.
Helen Newlove, whose husband Garry was killed in front of her and their three daughters in Warrington in August 2007, wants better training for pub workers.
Launching a new body, the National Licensed Trade Association, she said stopping alcohol abuse will help cut anti-social behaviour and violence.
The NLTA is offering courses for landlords and bar staff to help stop excessive drinking.
Mrs Newlove, 47, said: “I believe bringing together strong, like-minded representatives from the licensed trade, local and national government, police, NHS and charities, that our collective power and expertise can tackle our society’s culture of binge drinking and alcohol abuse which leads to so much anti-social behaviour in residential areas, our high streets and city centres.”
Don Shenker, chief executive of Alcohol Concern, called for a radical change in how alcohol is sold.
He said: “Britain desperately needs a reality check in how alcohol is sold and promoted.
“This new venture is a fantastic opportunity to drive forward positive change among those who sell alcohol.
“If we are to reduce the harms excessive drinking cause, we must radically alter the way alcohol is being sold. If given a chance, this new initiative will undoubtedly save lives.”
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Ace Riley, outsidethebox (09/02/2010 at 12:13)
Sarcastion Nastyface (09/02/2010 at 12:22)
There is no need to crack down on alcohol itself. Violence is already illegal. If only the police and courts would go after, convict, and harshly punish violent criminals, then such crime would be being, and being seen to be, punished.
But that would involve proper police-work, and application of the law.
Far easier to just double the price of booze, and enjoy all that lovely extra tax revenue.
Jay B, oldham (09/02/2010 at 12:33)
so jumping on the anti booze bus wont stop these sorts of crimes.
its the poor way kids are brought up in society today that is the main case of this.
as ive said before time and time again!
the most prominent form or child abuse/neglect in this country is failing to bring them up properly!
which labour love to fund with all the lovely benefits they give out!
Savage Mandarin, Manchester (09/02/2010 at 12:44)
You don't say? But the key word here is "abuse"....and I'm sick of being made to pay - financially, or in other ways - for other people's crimes, and the failure of the Police to address the real issues which make our streets so dangerous today. I drink - to excess, occasionally; but I can control the primitive urge to hurt other people, so I do. All alcohol does is lift the restraints from the souless children - and their moronic parents too - to enable them to act like the amoral rubbish they are, and to thereafter blame it on the alcohol. ("I didn't know what I was doing...I'm sorry, and ashamed of myself now (that I've been caught)")
I have every sympathy with this lady; but - at the end of the day - I think that she's probably wasting her time. Let's address the problem by having the Police - on foot, and in pairs - on the streets....not whizzing by in a Panda car, once in a blue moon. Despite the "Policing Pledge", I honestly cannot remember the last time I saw a policeman on foot down my road - or one in a car, either, come to that.
JTC Formerley JimC (09/02/2010 at 12:49)
I am a responsible drinker who can go out on a all day bender and behave responsibly.
The problems started when the government stopped parents from chastising thier children. What did they expect to happen. Respect begins in the home. Then the courts do virtually nothing when the drunken out of control yobs end up before them
The pc brigade started all this with out thinking of the long term consequences. The buck starts with the government, I say that as stated earlier. Parents had the first level of control and discipline taken away from them.
Ace Riley, outsidethebox (09/02/2010 at 13:18)
PW, Manchester (09/02/2010 at 13:25)
Couldn't have put it better at all myself.
Jan Elliott (09/02/2010 at 13:34)
Black Flag (09/02/2010 at 13:36)
As is often the case, you're talking hysterical rubbish. The evidence says that liberalising licencing hours did not make things worse.
Please, learn how to mind your own business. If Sarcastion Nastyface wants to have a drink and isn't causing anybody else any harm, what makes you think it's anything to do with you?
Ignoramus, Manchester (09/02/2010 at 13:37)
Violent crime levels have dropped in the last ten years.
J smith (09/02/2010 at 13:40)
Ignoramus, Manchester (09/02/2010 at 13:51)
Ace Riley, outsidethebox (09/02/2010 at 16:18)
Unfortunately i worked in the manchester clubs for years and my father owned a nightclub just off piccadilly and most of my dads mates were club owners/publicans in manchester,So i think that i have seen how the licencing of manchesters clubs and pubs have changed .My very first legal job was working nights at the "Grand hotel in the centre of manchester" So yes i do know what im talking about and a few club owners in manchester are worried the amount of violence over the last few years since the liberalisation of the licensing laws.Manchester is now a war zone for drunks.
blizzard, derbyshire (09/02/2010 at 19:11)
Ace Riley, outsidethebox (10/02/2010 at 12:47)
Ace Riley, outsidethebox (11/02/2010 at 11:08)
Black Flag (11/02/2010 at 11:37)
From what it says, it sounds like 3,000 went out and had a good time with no trouble being reported. None of the bloodshed, chaos and murder that you insists happens when a human being gets within half a mile of alcohol in the 21st Century UK.
Why shouldn't the MEN report it? It's the Manchester Evening News, not the Manchester Evening Propaganda.