'Police chief: drinking in pubs helps cut violence'

The chief constable of Scotland's largest police force has urged people to stop drinking at home and instead return to pubs and clubs in a bid to stem a rise in violent attacks committed in private residences. Stephen House, chief constable of Strathclyde Police, says that the increased availability of cheap alcohol in supermarkets and off-licences and the effects of the smoking ban have resulted in more people drinking large amounts of alcohol in domestic settings. "What you are seeing is a market-driven change to violence," he said. "In off-licences drink is so much cheaper, particularly bulk purchases from supermarkets, than drink in clubs or pubs, so people are drinking in their homes or other people's homes, which is not a controlled environment. Licensed premises are properly controlled" - The Herald ​

Drunken youngsters are being offered free taxis home to avoid late night crime. The police will pay up to £6 to ferry a reveller home on Friday and Saturday nights when some pubs shut at 1am. The three-month trial is costing a Norfolk town £350 - Mirror ​

Football history will be made on Saturday when England's big match is screened on the net - but NOT the telly. Fans who want to watch the World Cup qualifier against the Ukraine can sign up for £4.99 pay-per-view live streaming on their computer. The only alternative is seeing it on a big screen at selected cinemas - another first - for the price of a normal ticket to the pictures - The Sun ​

Tesco, the world's third-biggest retailer, posted a better-than-expected 8.6% rise in first-half profit and said it was well positioned for a recovery in its markets - The Guardian ​