An intensive, six-week ‘blitz’ to tackle under-age drinking and alcohol-related disorder will begin around the UK on 8 July, co-ordinated by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and the Home Office’s Police Standards Unit (PSU).

The blitz is part of the government’s ongoing Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy (AHRS). Pubs, bars, nightclubs and restaurants will come under heightened scrutiny over the six-week period and extra police will be patrolling the streets in over 60 towns and cities around the UK.

Speaking at the Drugs and Crime conference, organised by the charity, Turning Point, the home secretary, David Blunkett said: ”We must respond to the emerging alcohol-fuelled disorder that blights town centres up and down the country every weekend. We know that nearly half of all violent crime is drink-related.”

Blunkett added: “The six-week, country-wide crackdown on drink-related violence comes as we are no longer prepared to tolerate our public spaces becoming no-go areas for law-abiding citizens.”

The AHRS, which was launched earlier this year, attempts to address both the social and economic problems caused by alcohol misuse.

Led by the Home Office, the AHRS includes measures to clamp down on irresponsible promotions by the drinks and hospitality industry; tackling alcohol-related disorder in town and city centres; improving treatment and support for people with alcohol problems and providing better information to consumers about the dangers of alcohol misuse. Details: www.homeoofice.gov.uk