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Outrage as 3,000 students plan Blackpool party
PLANS for a huge pub crawl that is set to bring 3,000 students to Blackpool have sparked outrage.
The night – entitled Dirty Porn Star Fancy Dress – will take in six bars and a nightclub on October 28.
While organisers Carnage UK dub the night a piece of harmless fun, police and council leaders fear it will lead to booze-fuelled and lewd mayhem.
A social networking website for the event boasts to "be prepared to be blown away and to get very messy".
And a comment on the site, by a member of the public, adds: "Blackpool won't know what's hit them when Carnage arrives."
But both police and the leader of Blackpool Council say they are heavily opposed to the huge pub crawl.
The night has also drawn anger from the University of Central Lancashire's (UCLan) Student Union, which says such nights promote binge drinking.
Coun Peter Callow said: "In Blackpool we are trying to get rid of lewd and crude behaviour and I believe the title of this event speaks for itself.
"I'm sure I speak for most respectable members of the public in Blackpool when I say the title of this event appals me.
"We don't want our town plunged into carnage and I will do everything in my power to try to get it stopped."
Sgt Billy Giffin from Blackpool Police's Nightsafe team, added: "It's not something we would encourage and it's something we want to stop.
"This event seems to encourage binge drinking and drunk and disorderly behaviour."
Sgt Giffin also warned the pubs involved in the event, Walkabout, Yates's, Cahoots, Flares, NTK and The Counting House and nightclub The Syndicate, that they would be monitored heavily and dealt with severely if the event goes ahead and problems occur.
Students have also warned against the scheme, claiming heavy drinking was rife at similar events in Preston.
Andy Squire, from UCLan student union, said: "Activities that encourage heavy drinking are in no way endorsed or condoned by UCLan Students' Union."
A student at UCLan, who wanted to remain anonymous, added: "These events are a drunken free for all."
But landlord Dave Daly from The Castle Pub, on Central Drive, said pubs were well equipped to deal with drunkenness.
"We have a good system in place," he said.
"If they've come to get plastered, they simply won't get served."
Carnage UK – which runs similar nights across the UK including Preston, Leeds and Liverpool – recently came under fire in Scotland.
The Coalition Against Raising the Drinking Age in Scotland (Cardas) accused organisers of undermining attempts to promote safe alcohol consumption.
A section of the Carnage UK website – entitled Be Safe: Stay Safe – says Carnage is committed to ensuring the safety of students.
Should Blackpool allow the students to party in the town? Leave your thoughts below.
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Sunday 27 May 2012
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