BAR owners in Southampton could hike up the cost of drinks in a bid to stop alcohol-fuelled violence and antisocial behaviour, the Daily Echo can reveal.

Police and council chiefs have told pubs, bars and clubs to stop selling cheap booze which has been blamed for a surge in crime.

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It has even led to this year’s batch of students being branded among the worst the city has ever seen.

Southampton’s two universities have defended their undergraduates and hailed the benefits they bring to the city.

Four page investigation inside today's Daily Echo, including stories on:

Are students out of control?
How did get so bad?
The benefits of a large student population
Will price hikes solve the problems?
Students have their say
• Police view on the booze problem
Harassed by drunk students after heart surgery
• The cost of the clean-up
• Why is booze so cheap on weeknights?