Revellers have been warned to drink responsibly on 'Mad Friday', traditionally one of the busiest nights of the year for UK pubs and clubs. The last weekend before Christmas could see alcohol-related emergencies increase by up to 50%, officials believe, with alcohol sales across December potentially reaching £2.3bn.
According to figures from Public Health England and Alcohol Concern, alcohol sales in pubs, clubs, restaurants and hotels across the UK rose by 142% on the final Friday before Christmas last year. The London Ambulance Service said its paramedics could attend more than 700 emergencies over the coming weekend due to increased festive drinking.
'We can be called to people who have fallen in the road or on railway tracks or been involved in fights - often because they've had too much to drink,' said Paul Woodrow, director of operations at the London Ambulance Service. West Yorkshire Police expect calls to increase by about 50% over the weekend, with a significant proportion being alcohol-related. The West Midlands Ambulance Service said a temporary minor injuries unit would be set up in Birmingham city centre to help treat worse-for-wear revellers and avoid A&E attendances.
Dr Yvonne Doyle, from Public Health England, said people drinking 'much more than usual' over the Christmas period can lead to 'the NHS and police dealing with more drinking-related accidents and emergencies'. She urged people to join the 'Dry January' campaign, noting that evidence shows more than two-thirds of participants still drink less six months later. 'A period of abstinence could help encourage less harmful, better drinking habits in the long-term,' she added.
