About 135 people a year die in Finland as the result of violence. The government is determined to push this figure down to under 100 within the next three years.

Experts say that alcohol is most often to blame for violence. The National Council for Crime Prevention says it would be important to restrain binge drinking and take a more proactive approach to marginalised members of society who easily resort to violence. The national programme also aims to reduce workplace-related violence. For example, women face violence at work more and more often. The council presented its proposal for a national programme to fight crime to Justice Minister Johannes Koskinen on Wednesday. Disarm Violent People To reduce Finland's high homicide rate, the council proposes that firearms licences be revoked from people that police know to be violent and alcoholic. The programme also focuses on preventing women's violent deaths. The key to achieving this is through early intervention in cases of domestic violence. During 1999 to 2003, an average 1.4 Finnish women per 100,000 died from violence. The EU average is much lower at 0.75. Tackling Binge Drinking In two thirds of violent incidents either the culprit or victim - or both - have been drunk. The National Council of Crime Prevention says little can be done to reduce violence as long as Finns drinking habits remain the same. Therefore, it outlines moves to combat binge drinking. This is no mean task. It entails changing a whole nation's attitudes to drink. The council has no new tricks in its back pocket but rather points to a bag of old ones, such as cutting consumption through raising the alcohol tax and strictly regulating pubs and restaurants' opening hours. Smacking Kids Breeds More Violence

The action plan notes that children who experience violence at a tender age often grow up to be violent themselves.

The council says that more needs to be done to improve children's sense of security.

In addition, more stress is being laid on preventing children and young people from copying violent patterns of behaviour at a later age.