Brits celebrate Black Eye Friday as parties turn to carnage and arrests made
Party-goers let loose on Black Eye Friday with police called to arrest revellers when festive celebrations turned into drunken debauchery. Fights broke out across the country, fuelled by booze, and ambulance services were on high alert for what's known as the busiest night of the year.
The country was expected to down 40 million pints last night, with 25 million pints expected to be drunk in pubs today, plus 15 million pints at home, British Beer and Pub Association beer consumption data trends show. But some peaked early, and found Black Eye Friday too much, with one man photographed flat out before 7pm, The Daily Mail reports.
Another was pictured slumped over some steps around the time of 6:30pm. Nationwide parties turned into fistfights.
In Leeds, two men wearing blazers and chinos were spotted brawling on the floor by a bar, and in Newcastle arrests were made. Festive dress made plenty of appearances amongst those indulging in the boozy tradition.
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Revellers in Newcastle started the Black Eye Friday celebrations early last night (North News & Pictures Ltd northnews.co.uk)Black Eye Friday is the name given to the Friday before Christmas Eve and is the most popular night in December for work parties. It lived up to the hype, with plenty of skirmishes, and one man being marched away by police before 9pm with a bloody nose.
Typically it's the name given to describe the Friday following December 16, and this year, with Christmas just three days away, the festivities have continued. People in Newcastle weren't deterred by the cold as they went out on the town donned in festive dress up.
A man is being placed under arrest (Dimitris Legakis/Athena Pictures)Meanwhile, others used their football clubs to inspire outfits. In Birmingham Aston Villa fans dressed up in their best outfits as they queued to get into Villa Park - with elaborate Grinch costumes lining up against Sheffield United followers dressed as Santa.
One person even wore an all-in-one snowman outfit, and there were plenty of Christmas jumpers to be seen. Yet despite the frivolous fancy dress, ambulance services were on high alert.
A group of 3 work buddies went to a Mexican restaurant for their do (Alamy Live News.)London Ambulance Service told revellers to only make 999 calls if it is a genuine emergency, having said they already had seen levels of demand rising to last seen during the pandemic, as they take up to 7,000 999 and 10,000 111 calls every day - almost double the typical 5,500.
Stuart Crichton, Director of 999 Operations at London Ambulance Service, said: "We are already extremely busy as we head into winter.
Revellers in Newcastle start the Black Eye Friday celebrations early (North News & Pictures Ltd northnews.co.uk)"As Londoners enjoy the festive season we are urging everyone to be careful – every avoidable alcohol-related call we attend could take away from someone who might have a life-threatening condition.
'"It's important that Londoners use the 999 service wisely: only calling us when it's a serious medical emergency so we can prioritise responding to the most seriously ill and injured patients. Please make sure you have the medication you need ahead of the long holiday weekend as some local pharmacies will have different opening hours.
Violent scenes as a fight breaks out as revellers in Newcastle take part in the Black Eye Friday celebrations this evening (North News & Pictures Ltd northnews.co.uk)"So if you need advice or medication from a pharmacist in London, use the NHS pharmacy finder to check which pharmacies are open near you." Likewise, North East Ambulance Service's deputy chief operating officer Victoria Court added: "Each year we see an increase in alcohol-related calls.
"We want everyone to enjoy their festivities - but please be responsible and look after each other when you're out celebrating. We want everyone to have a good time, but don't ruin your fun by ending up in the back of an ambulance."
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