Licensed premises across Argyll and Bute are being encouraged to replace traditional glasses with toughened glass or other safe materials.

Some premises have not yet acted on a joint initiative last year by Strathclyde Police and the Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA) to encourage the use of safe drinking vessels in all licensed premises throughout Strathclyde.

Argyll and Bute Licensing Board chairman, Councillor Daniel Kelly, said premises should, where practicable, be replacing standard glasses with a safer product.

He added that although the response locally to the police and SLTA’s call had been good so far, those premises which have not yet acted were risking potentially serious sanctions.

“Although ‘glassing’ incidents are, thankfully, extremely rare, the police have made it very clear that they will carefully scrutinise any future such incidents in or in the immediate vicinity of licensed premises,” Councillor Kelly said.

“If they find that the premises in question has made no effort to replace its traditional glass vessels with a safer option then they will consider applying to the Board for a premises review.

“I obviously hope very much that Argyll and Bute Licensing Board never has to consider such a request. But if it does, then the fact that the premises had ignored the call to use toughened glass or a similar safe material will count heavily against it.

“I would urge all of our licensed premises to take this opportunity to replace their traditional glasses if an equivalent, safer product is available.”