Glassing

Glassing is a physical attack using a glass as a weapon. Glassing can occur at bars or pubs where alcohol is served, and a drinking glass or bottle is available as a weapon. The most common method of glassing involves the attacker smashing an intact glass in the face of the victim. However the glass may be smashed before the attack, and then gripped by the remaining base of the glass or neck of the bottle with the broken shards protruding outwards.

Common injuries resulting from glassings are heavy blood loss, permanent scarring, disfigurement and loss of sight through eye injury.

In the United Kingdom, there are more than 5,000 glassing attacks each year.[1]

Notable Glassings

In Sydney, Australia, famed musician Redfoo from the duo LMFAO was glassed in an unprovoked attacked at the Golden Sheaf Hotel. A glass bottle was thrown at his head from a distance which resulted in Redfoo being cut above his right temple area.[2]

Tempered glass as policy response

In 2000, following a series a glassing attacks in Manchester, Greater Manchester Police and the Manchester Evening News launched a campaign Safe Glass Safe City promoting the use of toughened glass in pubs and clubs to prevent such attacks.[3]

In response to glassing violence, the government of Western Australia in 2011 made recommendations to the state hospitality industry on the use of tempered glass in hotels.[4] The state government and the Australian Hotels Association created a self-regulatory program on the rollout of tempered glass in pubs, with most hotels and bars expected to change over to tempered beer glasses in six to 12 months.[4] Royal Perth Hospital's head of plastic surgery Mark Duncan-Smith described it as an important step in protecting the public.[4]

In relation to continuing glassing incidents despite limited glass bans in Queensland, Australia, state Liquor Licensing Minister Paul Lucas in 2011 predicted that almost all Queensland pubs and clubs would be (standard) glass free in 10 years.[5]

References

  1. ↑ Ian Craig (2002-10-22). "Calling time on pub pint glasses". Manchester Evening News.
  2. ↑ Chris Paine; Daniel Piotrowski; Laura Evans; Candace Sutton (27 August 2014). "The shocking moment X Factor judge and rock star Redfoo was glassed in the face by a 'jealous' thug as he partied with girls in the roped-off VIP section of a Sydney hotel". Mail Online.
  3. ↑ Ronald V. Clarke and Graeme R. Newman. "Modifying Criminogenic Products: What Role for the Government?" (PDF). Crime Prevention Studies 18: 49–51.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Glenn Cordingley (February 26, 2011). "WA leads in fight against glassing with tempered glassware in Perth pubs and bars". PerthNow. Retrieved 2014-04-28.
  5. ↑ Alison Sandy (March 12, 2011). "All pubs set to become glass-free". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 2014-04-28.

Further reading