Town is violent, say police (From Bury Times)

Town is violent, say police

6:10am Friday 19th March 2010

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BURY has been labelled a “violent town” by police in a damning multi-agency report into residents’ love affair with alcohol.

Booze-fuelled anti-social behaviour, a saturation of town centre bars and street violence have all been highlighted as issues of concern by a working group, following a two-year investigation.

Now a new partnership approach is to be adopted by the borough’s main organisations to tackle the issues.

Cllr Catherine Berry, chairman of the healthier communities scrutiny commission alcohol working group, said: “The group recognises that for many people, alcohol plays a large part in their life, a role that is reinforced by society and cultural attitudes towards drinking.

“Production of an alcohol strategy is a positive start and promises a shared approach to alcohol issues. But it is unclear what level of improvement in health or community safety the borough can expect as a result.”

As part of the inquiry, evidence was taken from the police, public health experts, the drugs and alcohol action team and other agencies.

It was disclosed that police see Bury as a “violent town,” a view largely based on alcohol-fuelled incidents.

And figures revealed the number of hospital stays in Bury for alcohol-related conditions or injuries in 2009 was 3,687 — significantly above the national average.

The group was concerned at the amount of drinking away from licensed premises and the constant discounting of prices in large stores.

Another matter raised was the fact there are a large number of bars around Bury town centre and a saturation policy was discussed.

At a meeting of Bury Council’s ruling executive, it was agreed to take action along with Team Bury to address issues raised in the report.

These include a proactive stance to alcohol abuse, examining the quality and availability of NHS treatment and lobbying Government for legislative changes and additional resources to tackle alcohol problems.

They also embrace working with the licensed trade to promote safer, sensible drinking and discussions with police over possible penalty notices for minor alcohol-related offences.

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