Alcohol Concern's take on Respect

10th January 2006 - For Immediate Release

Alcohol Concern?s take on Respect

Commenting in response to today?s ?respect action plan? launch, Geethika Jayatilaka, Alcohol Concern?s Director of Policy and Public Affairs, said:

"We at alcohol concern are pleased to see the launch of tough new measures to tackle the anti-social behaviour that blights many communities. It is particularly encouraging that the government are looking more at tackling the root causes of anti-social behaviour and we welcome the new investment in providing support for parents. We know the negative impact that alcohol can have on parents and families and we hope that the government will address the issue of alcohol misuse within their parenting support plan.

The link between alcohol and crime and disorder is clear, with a massive 23,000 incidents of alcohol-related violence taking place every single week. We support measures that make the link between alcohol and crime, and also make it clear that some types of behaviour are simply unacceptable.

But tough measures on their own will not be enough to put an end to alcohol-related crime. If the government is serious about restoring respect to our streets, then punishing those who offend under the influence of alcohol needs to go hand in hand with a proactive effort to help those people change the way that they drink, and in doing so reduce the likelihood of their reoffending. Alcohol Concern is calling on the government to roll out a national programme of arrest-referral schemes, to ensure that anyone who passes through the criminal justice system for an alcohol-related offence is given access to the help they need to drink in a way that is less damaging to them, their families and their communities."


ENDS


· For all enquiries, please contact the Alcohol Concern Press Office on 020 7928 7377 or email press@alcoholconcern.org.uk. For out of hours press enquiries, please call 07866 063 013.

Alcohol Concern is the national agency on alcohol misuse. We work to reduce the incidence and cost of alcohol-related harm and to increase the range and quality of services available to people with alcohol-related problems and their families.

Date: 10 January 2006

Related articles:

Alcohol and crime (paper by Dr Mary McMurran)	Crime and Disorder
The accumulation of research evidence supports the notion that alcohol plays a role in the commission of offences. This paper examines the several possible types of relationship between alcohol and offending and identifies some of the key risk factors.
Date: September 2003