CCTV reduces violence in pubs

Story link: CCTV reduces violence in pubs by Jan Harris

According to researchers from Cardiff University, serious violence-related injuries fell by 2% in England and Wales last year, despite the change in pub opening hours. There was also an 8% drop in the number of female victims.

Despite fears that longer opening hours would trigger an increase in street violence, the annual violence study, by the University Violence Research Group, found that approximately 6,000 fewer people needed hospital treatment for violence injuries in 2006, compared with 2005.

The improvement is attributed to an increase in the use of CCTV, which means that police can intervene earlier and reducing the number of serious injuries.

The annual violence study is the first complete set of data since the licensing laws changed in November 2005.

The study analysed 2006 data from 33 Accident and Emergency departments across England and Wales.

It has shown a consistent fall in the number of assault victims since 2000, while violent incidents recorded by the police have risen.