PUBS, bars and clubs in Newport are now glassfree zones on Friday and Saturday nights, Gwent Police said.

PC Rachael Honey has been working closely with local licensees over the past two years to roll out the use of polycarbonate glasses across the city.

Now all licensed premises across the city have made the switch – something the Argus has backed for five years.

In 2010, £5,000 worth of polycarbonate glasses were bought by the Safer Newport Partnership for licensed premises across the city centre and many licensees took up the offer.

PC Honey said Revolution, in Griffin Street, was already using toughened glass and so did not take up the offer at the time, but has since seen the benefits and moved to polycarbonates.

The bar will also start using polycarbonate ashtrays in the near future.

PC Honey said: “I am delighted that all licensed premises across Newport city centre have taken these steps to reassure both customers and staff. The Safer Newport partnership is working hard to ensure that visitors feel safe when out and about in Newport and this is a big step forward.”

Polycarbonate glasses are currently used on Friday and Saturday evenings after 10pm and for all major sporting events.

In 2007 the Argus backed a campaign launched by Gwent Police to wipe out glass crime by encouraging bars and nightclubs to use plastic cups.

In December we reported that the number of glass and bottle attacks in Gwent had fallen from 53 in 2006/07 to 16 between April and December last year.

There were 74 incidents in 2007/08, 63 in 2008/09, 45 in 2009/10 and 40 in 2010/11.

In Newport there were 27 in 2006/07, 32 in 2007/08, 31 in 2008/09, 16 in 2009/10, 11 in 2010/11 and seven between April 2011 and December 2011.