7 June 2007: Beware the full moon

Police in Sussex have decided to put more officers on duty during full moons, because they believe the lunar cycle may be linked to violent behaviour. They say that people in general, and drinkers in particular, are more aggressive during the full moon.

The announcement has led some locals to joke that werewolves may be at large on the streets of Brighton. One night club bouncer said he may start checking for hair on the back of people's hands at the next full moon.

Tales of werewolves – people who turn into wolves during the full moon – go as far back as ancient Greece. It is said that a werewolf can only be killed with a silver bullet. Whether Sussex police are now to be equipped with these was not clear.

[for more about werewolves see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Werewolf]