Southport must be seen to be safe at night

SOUTHPORT has been in the news for all the wrong reasons recently, as the bar brawl which involved Steven Gerrard was played out via the world's media.
So it is unfortunate that night-time violence in Southport has again come to the fore, after Merseyside Police yesterday suspended the licenses for Coast and Studio 55 after a series of horrific incidents in or near the premises.
Four people were glassed in the head, a man's ear was bitten off and a total of six people have been left permanently scarred - after heading into town with the sole intention of enjoying a night out with friends.
A thriving night-time economy is vitally important for the future of our town, with the livelihoods of hundreds of bar owners and workers, taxi drivers, hoteliers, takeaway workers and restaurateurs all at stake.
The latest incident is a real shame, coming at a time when owners of premises on Waverley Street have spent fortunes on making it more upmarket than it used to be.
Police are sending out the right message by cracking down hard on licensees they feel do not tackle violent incidents adequately enough. Judges must follow that with lengthy sentences for the thugs - cowards - who use bottles and glasses as weapons.
Southport MUST be seen as a safe and attractive place in which people of all ages can come and enjoy themselves.