Pub bosses in Washington are being urged to stock up on super-strength plastic glasses in a bid to prevent violent attacks.
Six bars across the area have already hailed the scheme a success, with almost 1,200 of the polycarbonate glasses being snapped up through the Pubwatch scheme.
The glasses – said to withstand the weight of a small car – are made from the same sort
of plastic used in crash helmets and last up to four times longer than normal glasses.
Now police, who are fully backing the scheme, are urging more pub, club and bar bosses to sign up for the scheme by offering them a 50 per cent discount.
The Safer Sunderland Partnership is stumping up the cash for the rest of the cost.
Sarah Howson, licensing co-ordinator for Northumbria Police, said: "Through the Washington Pubwatch scheme we work with landlords and licensees to ensure the continued safety and well-being of their patrons.
"By encouraging them to sign up for the new unbreakable drinkware, we can help reduce the number of injuries caused by broken glass at venues across the area."
The scheme was first launched in the city last year when four city-centre nightspots tested the glasses.
They proved an instant hit with owners and drinkers. Other venues have now followed suit.
Acting neighbourhood Inspector Paul Whittle said that while drunken disputes involving glass are rare across Wearside, the move would cut down on them even more.
He said: "In the small number of instances when disputes result in violence, we can prevent serious injury by replacing those glasses with polycarbonate alternatives."
Coun Tom Foster, chairman of Safer Sunderland Partnership, added: "Working together we can all help people feel more at ease and safe in their surroundings, with the licensed trade playing a big part with its support of initiatives such as this.
"We hope that drinkers will play their part and that these types of glasses become accepted and popular in clubs and bars across the city and the country.
"The polycarbonate glasses have already been successfully piloted in five city-centre bars in Sunderland, where they have been well received by staff and visitors and led to a reduction in glass-related incidents."
More than 1,000 of the glasses are already being used at Washington bars including the Honest Boy, the New Tavern, the Forester's Arms, the Bird Inn, Washington Football Club and the Speculation Inn.
