- More than 40 off-licences, shops and pubs are facing reviews of their licences to sell alcohol – as a result of the new Licensing Act. The reviews follow an operation of intelligence led test purchasing. The operation was carried out by police and Trading Standards over three weeks in 27 areas across England and Wales. It targeted premises which had previously failed test purchases or had been identified through local intelligence. The results reveal that out of a total of 224 premises, tested twice in the first two weeks of the campaign, 53 per cent successfully challenged the sale on both occasions. However, as a result of this campaign and previous test purchase activity, 42 premises were found to fail two or more test purchases. They will now be subject to a licence review by their local authority which could result in their licence conditions being changed. Home Office
- The centre of Leeds has been identified by the Home Office as a key target in its new Tackling Violent Crime campaign. It has earned its place through appalling violence figures in the year since 24-hour drinking was introuced. In the past 12 months, more than 750 fights, brawls or attacks have been recorded in or outside licensed premises. One bar alone - the Birdcage in Boar Lane – is responsible for almost a SIXTH of all incidents. Other hotspots include Oceana on Woodhouse Lane, which recorded 60 offences, and the nearby Baja Beach Club, which had 43 disturbances. Superintendent Peter Nicholson, City and Holbeck Police, said more would be done to tackle violence linked to licensed premises. However, licensees have urged the police to get tough on not just pubs and clubs - but also the individuals who cause the trouble. Yorkshire Evening Post Some details on Tackling Violent Crime Programme for Leeds
- Alarming levels of binge-drinking have sent mouth cancer rates soaring, dental experts said yesterday. People who smoke and drink alcohol to excess are up to 30 times more likely to develop the disease. Mouth cancer kills one person every five hours in Britain and there are 4,400 new cases a year. In 1992 the figure was 3,400 cases. Prof Saman Warnakulasuriya, speaking at the launch of Mouth Cancer Awareness Week, said early detection greatly increased a victim's chances of survival. The professor of oral medicine at Guy's, King's and St Thomas' Dental Institute in London also called for increased public and professional education. He blamed the rise in cases on 'recent increases in alcohol consumption, taken together with alarming levels of binge drinking by young people'.
Dr Nigel Carter, chief executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, added: 'Ulcers that wont heal, lumps or red or white patches in the mouth can be common early symptoms of mouth cancer, so it is very important people check their mouths on a regular basis, with a visit to a dentist or doctor following should they notice any changes.'
Mouth Cancer Awareness Week runs until Sunday and aims to increase the number of cases picked up early. Metro, British Dental Health Foundation press release
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