Have lollies got problem licked?

Police have revealed a lower number of assaults were reported over the weekend, when officers launched a new initiative at three popular pubs and clubs.

As reported in the Daily Echo, free lollipops were dished out by doorstaff at Flares, Chicago Rock Caf and The Toad in the Park as customers left at closing.

The Daily Echo-backed scheme will continue on Friday and Saturday nights for a five-week trial period to see whether or not it is successful in reducing violent incidents near the three venues.

Licensees are also playing calming music such as cartoon or cult TV show themes at the end of the night to help revellers feel good humoured as they head home.

Studies elsewhere in Britain have shown that lollipops and childhood tunes make clubbers less likely to get involved in drink-fuelled fights.

Insp Jon Snook, of Southampton police's licensing department, confirmed a lower than average number of assaults had been recorded during the first weekend of the trial - but stressed it was too early to say whether or not the reduction could be linked to the scheme.

"All indications are that the lollipops were received very favourably both by the licensees and their customers," he said.

"The level of assaults in Southampton was generally down but we want to do much more analysis over the coming weeks before drawing any conclusions."

About 10,000 lollipops, paid for by Southampton City Council and the Daily Echo, will be dished out to

clubbers over the next month.

Police say the quirky crowd control initiative will be monitored closely to determine what effect it has on the city's crime figures.

Chicago Rock Caf general manager Nigel Barron said the first weekend had gone exceptionally well.

"The reaction has been very positive,"he said. "People have been leaving with a noticeably different attitude."

The idea is part of Operation Viper, a Daily Echo-backed campaign to tackle violence.