Bars and nightclubs in the west of Scotland are being warned that they face closure if they refuse to use toughened glasses to reduce the level of attacks.

Strathclyde Police are writing to licence-holders across the force area warning that if an attack with a glass occurs in their premises – and the management has ignored the police call – then officers will move to have the venue shut.

The letter, from Assistant Chief Constable Ruaraidh Nicolson, also warns that the force will use Scotland’s new liquor laws for special hearings on a venue’s future, even if the glass attack happens in its vicinity.

Strathclyde has already secured the support of the trade and local authority in Glasgow for increased use of toughened glass and has expressed a desire to see a policy rolled out from Tiree in the north to Girvan in South Ayrshire.

The force will expect licence-holders to begin moving away from conventional glass as soon as they receive Mr Nicolson’s letter.

There were 52 glass attacks in Strathclyde last year, often leaving hideous wounds and scars. Police believe the damage caused could be reduced if premises took steps to use toughened glass that does not smash as readily.

However, representatives from the pub trade claim the measures discriminated against premises where glassing incidents were unlikely to occur.

Mr Nicolson’s letter states: “Glassing incidents in or in the immediate vicinity of licensed premises will be carefully scrutinised by the police . . . I do not expect every glass drinking vessel to be toughened, but where there is an equivalent product available, made from toughened glass or other suitable safety material, it would be expected that the premises would use the safer product.”