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Newbury Today Forum _ Newbury News _ Town centre violence
Posted by: massifheed Aug 1 2011, 01:23 PM
http://www.newburytoday.co.uk/News/Article.aspx?articleID=17444
Third-hand information I have tells me that it was a large number of people outside Liquid that were involved in this fracas, requiring a large Police presence to deal with it. I'm also informed that Liquid had a drinks promotion on that night, and some drinks (not sure if we are talking bottles or shots) were as little as 80p.
I guess my question is, should bars/pubs/clubs be allowed to sell alcohol at such low prices, and do the Police have powers to deal with such places that are obviously trying to get people to buy as much as possible, regardless of the consequences, and given the cost involved when things go wrong?
Posted by: Bloggo Aug 1 2011, 01:47 PM
Third-hand information I have tells me that it was a large number of people outside Liquid that were involved in this fracas, requiring a large Police presence to deal with it. I'm also informed that Liquid had a drinks promotion on that night, and some drinks (not sure if we are talking bottles or shots) were as little as 80p.
I guess my question is, should bars/pubs/clubs be allowed to sell alcohol at such low prices, and do the Police have powers to deal with such places that are obviously trying to get people to buy as much as possible, regardless of the consequences, and given the cost involved when things go wrong?
This yet another example of the lowering of social standards and acceptability.
It reflects badly on the people that exploit cheap alcohol sales for short term gain and the morons who have know idea how civilised people should conduct themselves. Worse still, it reflects badly on Newbury as a place to spend an evening.
Unless the law is toughened up to deal with this disorder and those that exploit the weak minded then you can expect more of the same.
Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Aug 1 2011, 02:44 PM
It reflects badly on the people that exploit cheap alcohol sales for short term gain and the morons who have know idea how civilised people should conduct themselves. Worse still, it reflects badly on Newbury as a place to spend an evening.
Unless the law is toughened up to deal with this disorder and those that exploit the weak minded then you can expect more of the same.
Do you want some Bloggo? Are you staring at me?
Posted by: Bloggo Aug 1 2011, 02:48 PM
I guess it's all part of the "Newbury Vision"
Posted by: Andy Capp Aug 1 2011, 03:59 PM
Yes. In the old days, this was the sort of thing that only happened at the Henwick or at the Beverley Club. Or maybe in your local cinema.
Posted by: NWNREADER Aug 1 2011, 04:08 PM
Or the Plaza...... All places that are now long closed, so we can say what we like about them!!!!!
However, looking at the NWN headline, one fight at one location is a 'night of violence'? I accept what happened was likely a bit more than 'handbags', and seems unacceptable, but that doesn't make my perception of a night of violence, any more than the Sports Editor choking on his coffee makes an epidemic of lung disease
Posted by: Strafin Aug 1 2011, 04:24 PM
People need to learn to say no. People who are obviously drunk should be refused service and if they are not people need to start losing their licenses. It's a simple rule, which is easily enforcable, already law and would be effective.
Posted by: Andy Capp Aug 1 2011, 04:55 PM
Totally agree. This includes a well organised and pervasive Pubwatch scheme. This initiative on its own made such a difference in dissuading the yobs from town.
Posted by: Jayjay Aug 2 2011, 09:15 AM
As I understand it the senior officer on duty that night was not the usual one. There was a fracas in Liquid and a man was seriously injured. Rather than deal with the perpetrators, who the doormen had already nabbed, the Police closed the venue. Having just paid £8 entrance fee the innocent punters were annoyed and a mini riot errupted.
Posted by: Jayjay Aug 2 2011, 09:15 AM
As I understand it the senior officer on duty that night was not the usual one. There was a fracas in Liquid and a man was seriously injured. Rather than deal with the perpetrators, who the doormen had already nabbed, the Police closed the venue. Having just paid £8 entrance fee the innocent punters were annoyed and a mini riot errupted.
Posted by: Jayjay Aug 2 2011, 09:15 AM
As I understand it the senior officer on duty that night was not the usual one. There was a fracas in Liquid and a man was seriously injured. Rather than deal with the perpetrators, who the doormen had already nabbed, the Police closed the venue. Having just paid £8 entrance fee the innocent punters were annoyed and a mini riot errupted.
Posted by: Jayjay Aug 2 2011, 09:15 AM
As I understand it the senior officer on duty that night was not the usual one. There was a fracas in Liquid and a man was seriously injured. Rather than deal with the perpetrators, who the doormen had already nabbed, the Police closed the venue. Having just paid £8 entrance fee the innocent punters were annoyed and a mini riot errupted.
Posted by: Jayjay Aug 2 2011, 09:15 AM
As I understand it the senior officer on duty that night was not the usual one. There was a fracas in Liquid and a man was seriously injured. Rather than deal with the perpetrators, who the doormen had already nabbed, the Police closed the venue. Having just paid £8 entrance fee the innocent punters were annoyed and a mini riot errupted.
Oops, sorry about the multiple postings - laptop must have gone into overdrive. Noithing at all to do with the operator of course. 
Posted by: Andy Capp Aug 2 2011, 11:03 AM
When there has been a brawl in a pub or club resulting in serious injuries, the police will use discretion to shut premiss. I've seen this happen before.
Posted by: Alice Aug 3 2011, 01:47 PM
I've said it before in other posts, but NWN needs to check their facts before reporting a story. I agree with NWNREADER, that one fight at one location isn't a night of violence. But there were in fact several fights that broke out in the area that the police had to deal with. And the violence was so bad that police dogs were called to help manage the situation.
I personally would like to thank the police for dealing with such a bad situation. I know that a number of officers on duty that night were special constables that volunteer their time in order to help keep the peace and make our community a safer place to be. I know I couldn't do a job like that and I think we should recognise their hard work and courage once in a while.
Posted by: Andy Capp Aug 3 2011, 02:41 PM
I agree Alice and I think Liquid's licence should be reviewed. Although, at least it serves as a honey trap for all the idiots.
Posted by: Andrea Aug 3 2011, 03:46 PM
I was out Friday Night/Saturday morning and can confirm that it really was a night of violence... I stupidly went to Liquid (first and last time I will ever go) and from my walk from Liquid to the Snooty Fox (going round the market place way) I passed a group of at least 5 people outside Spin fighting (one with a badly bloodied face) heard about the commotion outside liquid (at the time it was noted that there was approximately 90 people involved?), walked passed a couple of boys having a heated arguement (wouldn't be surprised if it turned violent) and pushing and shoving at the snooty.
I go out in Newbury maybe once a month and this is the first time I've ever experienced a night like that.
I went home after all that!
Posted by: Andy Capp Aug 3 2011, 03:54 PM
It must be the school holidays!
Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Aug 4 2011, 09:19 AM
It's just a shame that the Police Dog Handlers did not lose a grip on the dogs.... If a few of these idiots had a few chunks taken out of them they may not be so blaise about trying to fight police. Yet another problem with 'Human Rights' and the compensation culture we have.
Posted by: Strafin Aug 4 2011, 09:25 AM
I think the "blase efforts to fight them is more a reflection on the police though.
Posted by: Alice Aug 4 2011, 09:32 AM
What do you mean it's "more a reflection on the police"?
Posted by: HJD Aug 4 2011, 04:28 PM
I wonder how today's cops would have coped at the Rokeby Arms when Dicky Jones R.I.P. was in his prime.
Posted by: NWNREADER Aug 4 2011, 04:44 PM
I never condone violence, but the 'old school' chaps who sorted things out were not, as I remember, gratuitous. It was not honourable, but there was usually something that caused the coming together.
So much today seems to suggest people are just picked on for no reason other than they are there, and attempts to surrender are seen as invitations to go at them harder.....
Richard was a big chap, and rather attracted attention.........
Posted by: Strafin Aug 4 2011, 05:06 PM
They don't get the respect that they did years ago. The uniform alone used to stop people, but now it just seems to wind them up.
Posted by: HeatherW Aug 4 2011, 05:17 PM
My friend was in town when such violence erupted and she thought it was disgraceful and was very scared. With Newbury growing it is a development we do not need. I hope the please were on top of it and we must make sure this sort of thing does not happen again.
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