Forces step up glass action

Police forces are stepping up their attempts to persuade licensees and pub operators to go plastic.

Hampshire police have revealed pubs in Winchester, Havant and Gosport are next in line to receive the polycarbonate message.

The move follows letters sent to every pub in Fareham, Hampshire, urging them to consider making the switch or suffer consequences if trouble erupts on their premises.

It's not an attempt to get a blanket acceptance of plastic - but we have to cover every eventuality, regardless of the likelihood of trouble breaking out​Alcohol crime-reduction team leader Roy Jennings.

Meanwhile, Lancashire police are to distribute 2,000 plastic glasses to "high profile" pubs in the county.

The force has taken delivery of the pint and half-pint containers from a Yorkshire bar supply company, thanks to funding from the Best Bar None campaign, recently launched in Lancashire.

They say they are targeting the "most obvious" vertical-drinking venues in towns across the county.

Pubcos and trade leaders acknowledge a groundswell move by police across the country to force plastic glasses into thousands of pubs.

Police in Hampshire have defended their actions, but deny there are moves to get blanket glass bans in whole towns or areas.

Alcohol crime-reduction team leader Roy Jennings said that although letters have gone out to all Fareham pubs and clubs, it is not the intention to target out-of-town premises where there is less potential for disorder.

"We are not targeting rural pubs where there is obviously less trouble, but outbreaks of disorder are not discriminate,"​ Jennings said.

"All licensees should know their customers and carry out a risk assessment.​

"It's not an attempt to get a blanket acceptance of plastic - but we have to cover every eventuality, regardless of the likelihood of trouble breaking out."

"In a way we are damned if we do and damned if we don't so every licensed premises, with the exception of restaurants, has been circulated," he revealed.

"It's predominantly the town and district centre establishments which tend to attract large numbers of drinkers,"​ he stressed.

Jennings revealed it was possible letters would eventually be sent out to all pubs and clubs the length and breadth of Hampshire.

To sign our petition against blanket glass bans visit http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/plasticglass