We are living in a pretty violent place. Professor Jonathan Shepherd, architect of a violence prevention group in Cardiff, has anecdotal evidence of the rise in alcohol-fuelled crime over the past two decades. A survey last year by Police Review and Alcohol Concern, found alcohol causes more problems for police than drugs. Happy hour syndrome Eric Appleby, chief executive of Alcohol Concern, says some of the blame must rest with the trend for more pub promotions. You go in thinking you'll have a quick one but end up having two or three and at that point the drink takes over and you end up having five or six.
Research shows that alcohol consumption is increasing.
Sean Young, editor of Police Review, pins part of the blame on stronger drinks now available in pubs and says cheap-alcohol promotions are more commonplace as pub chains get more competitive. Another theory for the rise in violence is the layout of pubs. Last year's Home Office report suggested inadequate seating could lead to aggressive behaviour. In 1998 police in York looked at a plan to encourage more drinkers to nurse their pints sitting down. The change to closing times may help One possible solution already in the pipeline is the government plan to relax the strict closing time in pubs.