POLICE have demanded a crackdown on glasses and bottles in pubs in a bid to avoid horrific injuries to drinkers. They claim glass-free pubs are essential to keep the public safe as alcohol-fuelled violence rises.

Bournemouth police are forging ahead with plans to encourage pubs and clubs to go plastic.

"Every glass and bottle is a potential weapon," said Sergeant Chris Weeks, head of Bournemouth police's Alcohol Enforcement Team.

But Steve Hudson, chairman of the Town Watch Forum and boss at Elements, where a mixture of glass and plastic containers is used, said: "It's more costly to get plastic and we've had to re-design behind the bar. We also have difficulty getting a full selection of drinks in plastic bottles."

Elements, Walkabout and the Litten Tree in Bournemouth currently use plastic containers. Police hope others will follow suit.

Michael Owen, who lost the sight in his right eye when he was attacked in Walkabout in April this year. His attacker, Kyle Lloyd of Main Road, Walhampton, near Lymington, pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding this week.

Speaking after the court case, Mr Owen, said: "This is the rest of my life now - no punishment is going to be good enough."

He backed police moves for plastic glasses and bottles in all pubs, adding: "I think glass should be banned everywhere that sells drink."

Other local cases include Tom Southern injured in a fracas at the Brass House, and Poole teenager Liam Beakhouse, sentenced to five years detention in a young offenders institution for wounding with intent after a pub "glassing".

First published: November 10