Alcohol campaigners issue stark warning over World Cup booze worries

19th May 2006

Alcohol Campaigners will today issue a warning to pubs and police to raise their game to reduce the risks of binge-drinking during the World Cup.

Today, leading charity Alcohol Concern will be teaming up with a cross-party group of MPs to write to drinks industry leaders and the Home Office to warn them that pubs and police alike need to take action to prevent an increase in alcohol-fuelled crime and disorder from when the World Cup kicks off three weeks today.

They will also be stressing the importance of police enforcing laws forbidding the sale of alcohol to people who are drunk. Figures released this week by the Home Office showed that there were just 13 prosecutions for selling alcohol to somebody under the influence of alcohol in 2004.

Lynda Waltho, MP for Stourbridge and Chair of the All-Party Group on Alcohol Misuse, said:

"Football and summer sun are simply no excuse for crime and disorder. The vast majority of fans back home want to enjoy a trouble-free tournament. That is why we want to know that laws forbidding the sale of alcohol to people who are drunk are going to be enforced. Having been out on duty with the police in my own constituency, I know the difficulties that forces face in dealing with drink-related crime. Tough measures to crack down on people who offend when drunk are vitally important, but it is not enough that there were only 13 prosecutions for selling alcohol to somebody under the influence in 2004. If this law was better enforced, then we would see an immediate reduction in the number of drunk and disorderly people on our streets."

Srabani Sen, Chief Executive of Alcohol Concern, commented: ?It is crucial that the drinks industry play their part in ensuring that alcohol-related disorder is kept to a minimum during the World Cup and beyond. Pubs and bars are not above the law, and laws preventing sales of alcohol to people who are drunk and to underage drinkers are there for a reason. Pubs make large profits from selling alcohol. It is not too much to expect that they do so within the law.?


ENDS

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.

Notes to editors:

· Figures released by Vernon Coaker MP, Home Office Minister, on Monday 15th May in the House of Commons revealed that in 2004 there were there were 13 prosecutions for selling alcohol to a drunken person, and 856 prosecutions for selling alcohol to people under 18 years of age. http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmhansrd/cm060515/text/60515w0111.htm#06051532000050

· For all enquiries or to speak to Srabani Sen, please contact the Alcohol Concern Press Office on 020 7928 7377 or 07866 063 013 or email press@alcoholconcern.org.uk.

· To speak to Lynda Waltho MP please call 020 7219 6208.

Date: 19 May 2006