New sentencing strategy must seek to break the link between alcohol and crime, says Alcohol Concern

9th February 2006

Commenting on the publication of the 'five year strategy for protecting the public and reducing re-offending', Don Shenker, Director of Policy and Services at Alcohol Concern, said: "We welcome the government's recognition of the importance of breaking the link between alcohol and crime in reducing re-offending rates. Punishing those with an alcohol problem, or who offend under the influence of alcohol, has 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 re-offending.

"But if the strategy is to succeed at a local level, these words have to be put into action and backed up with real resources. 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 Helen Symons on 020 7928 7377 or email press@alcoholconcern.org.uk. For out of hours press enquiries, please call 07866 063 013.

Notes to editors:

· Alcohol-related crime costs the UK £7.3 billion a year in terms of policing, prevention services, processing offenders through the criminal justice system and the human costs incurred by the victims of.
· In the period 2001-2002 47% of all victims of violence described their assailant as being under the influence of alcohol at the.
· Approximately one third of incidents of partner violence occur when the perpetrator has been drinking.
· One study showed that 63% of men and 39% of women serving prison sentences had been hazardous or harmful drinkers prior to imprisonment.

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: 09 February 2006