A campaign to tackle booze culture and put an end to ‘yob violence’ in Calderdale has been launched by the Halifax Evening Courier.

An investigation by the paper has shown binge drinking, encouraged by ‘drink until you drop’ offers in pubs and clubs, has caused the number of assaults and brawls in the area to rocket – with violent crime in Halifax town centre alone on course to increase by 440 per cent in just four years.

Now the Courier is hoping its Win Back the Streets campaign will help stem the tide of violence and other drink-related problems such as vandalism.

It is calling for a ‘booze truce’, with town centre pub and club owners agreeing to put a stop to the dirt-cheap alcohol offers.

The campaign also calls for the courts to support police fully when yobs are arrested, with sentences reflecting the damage to society when town centre violence becomes the norm.

And it is also asking youngsters themselves to have fun without spoiling it for others who want to share the streets with them.

Editor John Furbisher said: “Millions of pounds are being spent on regeneration in Calderdale, much of the cash bound for Halifax town centre.

“Local officials, politicians and business people are quite rightly promoting the area’s natural strengths and economic potential. Calderdale may be about to take off.

“But one thing has the potential to undermine the turnaround. The drink-sodden yob culture that plagues our main town three nights a week.

“Rampant violence, general disorder and even a series of rapes and assaults on young girls – all fuelled by a flood of alcohol at giveaway prices.

“We believe our town centres are for everybody – in the evenings as much as during the day – and we want action. Action to restore the right of ordinary, decent people to walk unafraid and unmolested by those who drink themselves senseless then want to impose their senselessness on others.”

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