A STUDENT party organisation in Southampton has come under fire for promoting reckless boozing in the city.

Entertainment organisers called Lets Get F****d – or LGF – Promotions have been accused of promoting “irresponsible”

drinking in the city with their free drinks offers and claims to run the “best”, the “biggest” and the “messiest” student nights in Southampton.

Looking to stage their next event on April 19 as “one last blowout before exams and hand-ins”, the promoters have been criticised by the police and licensing leaders who have been working to change the boozy image of Southampton’s night scene and reduce the amount of alcohol related crime.

Inspector Phil Bates who is in charge of night time city centre policing said the name of the organised event gives the wrong message about nights out in Southampton.

“The name is unfortunate.

It gives the impression that people will just be going out to get wasted and not just having fun.

“Some people think that they are both the same thing but they are not,” he added.

The next event involves four Southampton nightspots, 90 Degrees, Aura, Buddha Lounge and The Whitehouse, with one ticket giving entry to all bars.

Insp Bates plans to contact the organisers of the event. He said other student targeted pub crawls, like Carnage, are well run and cause little trouble for the police but added he still thinks the name of the event needs to change.

“We have no problems with events like Carnage because they are well run and well marshalled. We know when they are and can plan accordingly.

“But with a name like that there will always be people who think that it is going to cause problems.”

Richard Elbrough, chairman of Southampton’s Licensing Links – a group of more than 100 late night venue operators – urged his members to avoid working with organisations which promote irresponsible drinking and questioned the legality of the group.

“New licensing laws which came into force on April 6 make some of the things they are offering, like a free shot on entry, potentially illegal,” he said.

“I would be worried about the name of such an event. It is very irresponsible and sends out the wrong message of what we as an organisation have been working towards for ten years.

“Obviously the promotions can be well run and organised but I have concerns about the name and I would hope that our members would be careful about joining in with these promotions, and avoid one which gives off an irresponsible image.”

A spokesman for the council’s licensing officers said: “We would always urge young people to drink responsibly and think of the impact of their actions on others.

“The council has no powers to stop pub crawls, or indeed, what they are called, however we will always do all we can to get messages to our younger residents about the harmful effects of drinking and how it can lead to antisocial behaviour.”

Despite several calls, the Daily Echo has been unable to contact LGF Promotions organiser “Toby” for a comment.