Acid' burns 24 punters

A substance believed to be acid was thrown into a Bristol pub, causing burns to 24 customers. An "unidentified corrosive substance" was thrown into the Inkerman in the St Paul's area of the city in the early hours of Sunday, a police spokesman said. The victims suffered burns, mainly to faces, arms and hands, after making contact with the substance and inhaling the fumes. Victims were treated at the Bristol Royal Infirmary and most were released soon after treatment. Four with more serious wounds were taken to the specialist burns unit at Frenchay Hospital, where they remained as the MA went to press. A 25-year-old woman, one of the four being treated at Frenchay Hospital, has been arrested for the attack. She will be questioned by police when she recovers. A witness said the unnamed owner of the freehouse had been celebrating her birthday at the pub. She said she thought the suspect had been involved in an argument earlier in the evening. "She has lived round here all her life, but has had a rough time lately," the witness said. The owner of the pub is reported as saying: "I think it happened on the dancefloor, but none of the staff saw anything." Officers in drug blitz Dudley Pubwatch has launched a joint initiative with police to cut illegal drug use in the town's pubs and clubs. Officers will partner doorstaff across the borough of Dudley in the West Midlands to catch anyone dealing or using drugs. Two-way radio links between outlets, and a dedicated CCTV operation, will also be used in the campaign that started on Monday. Pub and club-goers will be searched as a condition of entry. Anyone found in possession of drugs will probably be banned from all Pubwatch venues. The scheme will operate in Dudley town centre as well as Lye, Halesowen, Kingswinford, Coseley, Brierley Hill, Stour-bridge and Sedgley. Pubs adopt radio cover A two-way radio scheme to help stop violent attacks at pubs in Reading was launched this week. Two-way radios have been issued to 24 venues in the Berkshire town, allowing hosts and doorstaff to alert each other about troublemakers who may be roaming between venues. New CCTV camera equipment, monitored by police, will also be erected around the sites. A pilot version of the scheme started last month, and resulted in the arrests of 10 suspected offenders. Beer mats warn drivers Beer mats warning of the dangers of drink-driving are being sent to pubs in Derbyshire as part of a Christmas campaign. The initiative is aimed at young men, the worst drink-drive offenders. Nearly 40% of motorists who were caught over the limit in the county last Christmas were aged 17 to 25. Meanwhile, police in Grimsby and Cleethorpes are using messages on beer mats in a bid to cut drunken violence over the festive season. Merseyside host glassed A Merseyside host needed four stitches after being glassed by a customer. Tim Banks from the Victoria in Southport asked two couples to leave his pub at closing time last Thursday and this sparked an argument. One customer poured a drink over Banks and then threw a pint glass at him, which smashed on his head. The host from the busy towncentre pub was rushed to the Southport and Formby District Hospital. He received four stitches to his head wound and was x-rayed for stray pieces of glass. Police are still looking for the culprit, who fled the pub after the incident. Wall damage A wall in a pub in the centre of Lincoln has been damaged by a man celebrating his birthday. Simon Purdey, of Jarvis House, Lincoln, admitted causing criminal damage at the Still in Salter-gate, when he appeared before Lincoln magistrates last week. Purdey was given a six-month conditional discharge and was ordered to pay £205 in compensation and costs.