A new report has revealed the three key factors that lead to alcohol-related violence in pubs and clubs.
Rivalry between customers, badly designed and overcrowded bars and poor staff training leading to ineffective or aggressive behaviour by staff tackling violence between drinkers have been identified by researchers at Nottingham Trent University as the three key factors that lead to violence.
Titled 'Last Orders for Alcohol Related Violence' the report, commissioned by British Glass, looks at the psychological and environmental factors that lead to violence and included interviews with victims and perpetrators of violence, as well as an extensive review of related research.
David Workman, director general of British Glass, said: "After recent attempts to ban glasses and bottles from pubs in Glasgow we felt it was important to demonstrate that such a ban would not have an effect in reducing alcohol related violence.
"Clearly alcohol-related violence is an abhorrent and very real issue. Solutions need to be realistic and practical, and must be decided on the basis of the extensive research that exists, much of which is summarised in this report."
The new work reveals that no one factor can be blamed for incidents of violence in pubs and clubs and that a range of different and complimentary actions are needed to create a solution.
Dr Belinda Winder, who led the research team, commented: "We believe this is the first report that combines an examination of the psychological causes of violence with a review of previous research and detailed interviews with those who have experience of alcohol related violence.
"The result is a balanced report that offers real insights into how we can overcome this problem, which seems to blight a small but significant number of pubs and clubs in our city centres."
The report includes a range of solutions:
- The attititudes and behaviour of bar and door staff are vital in reducing and eliminating violent incidents in pubs and late night venues. Training should be given to all staff to raise awareness of the importance of their responses in reducing and preventing violent incidents.
- More attention should be paid to the efficient housekeeping of venues selling alcohol in bottles or glasses. Many injuries caused by glass are accidental and occur in localised areas, such as on the dance floor of a club. Regular removal of empty glasses and bottles from and around these areas would minimise the risk of accidental injury. Similarly, measures to minimise the build up of empties in any area of a venue should be taken especially at busy times.
- Reinforcement of the message that anti-social behaviour is not tolerated within an establishment as a way of decreasing the notion that such behaviour is acceptable.
- More widespread and active participation in PubWatch or similar schemes to identify, and remove from the drinking environment, known troublemakers and to identify potential troublemakers.
- Given that a majority of aggressive incidences in the night time economy involve 16-24 year-olds, there needs to be more efficient enforcement of underage drinking laws, and some venues may consider restricting entry to over 21-year olds only. In general there needs to be more enforcement of responsible serving practices, and co-operation between staff to assist in the effectiveness of such a strategy.
- More work should be done both on reducing binge drinking incentives and promoting safer drinking options.
- There are instances when it is more appropriate to use plastic containers. Such instances include 'outside' venues, such as sports stadiums, establishments where known violence problems exist and specific evenings on which events such as a prominent football match are taking place. Also when hygiene dictates, for example, the magnitude of customers mean that glass washing cannot take place rapidly enough.
- Thought should be put into creating more relaxing and friendly atmospheres in venues where the onus is not on getting drunk, but rather on socialising. This may include venues where, for example, there is low level or no music - certainly not loud music where you cannot hold a conversation and so have no alternative but to drink. Moreover, more spacious areas/better laid out venues would be preferable - where the possibility of bumping into someone accidentally is reduced. This also creates more female-friendly environments.
- The introduction of table service in more venues would help to alleviate issues of crowding and frustration at/around the bar area, although this may not be possible at some venues due to the extra expense involved (in terms of staff time).
- Quality controls are needed for toughened glass. Currently, the toughened glass may be of variable quality, thus research in this area is impossible to generalise.
- Rather than taking control from the consumers (by only allowing plastic drinking containers) the government and late night venues should look at giving consumers back control. For example, recycling bins for bottles could be available in establishments and there could be customer incentives to hand back bottles.
Research leader Dr Winder concludes: "There are a number of steps publicans, club owners and retail chains can implement to reduce alcohol related violence. These are all around staff training and venue management. Except in a limited number of problem venues, banning glass will have little or no impact on reducing violence."
For further information contact
Michael Bennett
Pelican Public Relations Ltd
Tel: 01457 820807
E-mail info@pelicanpr.co.uk
