THOUSANDS of special plastic glasses are to be handed out to pubs and clubs across Hartlepool as part of an on-going safety partnership.

The Safer Hartlepool Partnership hopes the polycarbonate glasses will reduce the number of accidental injuries, remove the opportunity for glass to be used as a weapon and help to maintain a cleaner environment.

The new glasses are harder to break than glass ones and will not produce sharp edges if they are broken.

The initiative is part of a £32,000 funding package from the Home Office which is also being used to look at taxi management issues in the town and support action to reduce domestic violence.

Stuart Drummond, Mayor of Hartlepool and chair of the Safer Hartlepool Partnership, said: "We want a night out in Hartlepool to be an enjoyable experience, and any initiative that improves people’s safety is to be welcomed.

"These polycarbonate glasses are an excellent idea, and once the current stock has been used I would urge licensees to purchase further supplies."

Chief Inspector Mick Williams, of Cleveland Police, said: "The glasses are just another way of combating some of the problems associated with alcohol and violence.

"All of our actions, which also include work to educate drinkers to know their limits and clamping down heavily on troublemakers, are definitely helping to make the town a safer place for people to enjoy nights out.

"It is our aim, working with the Safer Hartlepool Partnership, the Hartlepool "Licensees Association and voluntary sector colleagues, to ensure Hartlepool enjoys a safe and happy festive period."

The measures to combat domestic violence involve workers from the charity Harbour accompanying police to domestic violence incidents on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings throughout December and January.