Alcohol-fuelled violence hits Gwent

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 23rd Jun 2005

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have expressed dismay at figures showing that alcohol-fuelled violence has risen by over 12% across Wales in the last year.

Research by the Liberal Democrats shows that there has been a sharp increase in 'violent offences committed in connection with licensed premises '.

Mike German, Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales East , said: "These figures are very worrying. Gwent, for example, has experienced an 18.1% increase in such violence.

"Labour is recklessly pressing ahead with plans for longer licensing hours, without sufficient checks and balances, at a time when beer-fuelled brawls are on the rise.

"This should also be a wake up call for the Government to make sure that longer pub opening hours do not put safety at risk. Concerted action is needed to bring counter measures in, such as a clamp down on happy hours. We do not want our town centres to become no-go areas."