The Halifax Evening Courier has received the support of more than 25 MPs who have signed an Early Day Motion in Parliament.

The Motion backs the paper’s campaign to tackle booze culture and put an end to ‘yob violence’ in Calderdale.

The paper launched its Win Back the Streets campaign after conducting an investigation which found binge drinking had caused the number of assaults and brawls in the area to rocket.

It is asking town centre pub and club owners to call a ‘booze truce’ by putting a stop to ‘drink until you drop’ offers, and for the courts to support police by handing out sentences that reflect the damage that violence causes to society.

Now 29 MPs have added their support to the Courier’s fight, signing an Early Day Motion tabled by Halifax Labour MP Alice Mahon.

The Early Day Motion reads: “This House congratulates the Halifax Evening Courier on its campaign to raise awareness of the way cheap alcohol promotions by pubs and clubs encourages binge drinking by growing numbers of young people; believes such binge drinking disinhibits and leads to a spectrum of anti-social behaviour ranging from yobbism and vandalism to serious violence; notes that in Halifax there is a proven link to a rise in rape cases; realises Halifax is not unique in suffering from the booze culture as other towns and city centres have become no-go areas for ordinary people after dark; and belives that efforts by police and magistrates, encouraged by the local media, can persuade club and pub operators to be made responsible.”

Tory Party chairman Theresa May has also backed the Courier’s campaign following a recent visit to Halifax.

Editor John Furbisher said: “I’m pleased that the campaign is beginning to get noticed in Westminster.

“It’s always good when politicians agree with us on the important issues and it’s even better when they agree to do something about it.

“We’ve already had some success with the campaign, and all but one of the pubs and clubs that were offering dirt-cheap booze offers held a meeting with police and have now agreed to the ‘booze truce’ that we have been calling for and we are expecting the other to come on board this week.”

Back to the campaigns index

Do you have a story about the regional press? Ring 0116 227 3122/3121, or
e-mail [email protected]