Widow highlights 'huge problem' of drink-fuelled violence » Communities » 24dash.com

Violence linked to cheap alcohol is a "huge problem" for Britain, the widow of a man beaten to death by a gang of drunken youths said today.

Helen Newlove said members of the public were afraid to go into town and city centres because of booze-fuelled yobbishness.

The 47-year-old, whose husband Garry was killed by three youths in Warrington in August 2007, also called for a clampdown on cheap supermarket deals to stop drinkers "pre-loading" before they go out.

Mrs Newlove spoke as she launched a new body aimed at tackling the country's binge-drinking culture.

The National Licensed Trade Association will provide training courses for bar staff to help them know when to stop serving drunk customers.

Speaking alongside her daughters, Zoe, 20, Danielle, 18, and Amy, 15, at a press conference in central London she criticised "buy one get one free" supermarket offers.

It was wrong that alcohol was cheaper than water, she added.

"We have got a huge problem. I don't want to go into town (at night). A lot of other people don't want to go into town.

"We need to stop the cheap drinking."

Don Shenker, chief executive of Alcohol Concern, called for a radical change in how alcohol is sold.
He said: "Britain desperately needs a reality check in how alcohol is sold and promoted.

"This new venture is a fantastic opportunity to drive forward positive change among those who sell alcohol.

"If we are to reduce the harms excessive drinking cause, we must radically alter the way alcohol is being sold. If given a chance, this new initiative will undoubtedly save lives."