Alcohol the key to tackling violent crime

Thursday July 21st 2005

Commenting on the release of the British Crime Survey and today's crime statistics from the police, Srabani Sen, Alcohol Concern's Chief Executive, said:

"Today?s report from the police shows a 7% rise in violent crimes reported over the last year when other crime rates are falling. In addition, the British Crime Survey shows a slight increase in perception of anti-social behaviour in local communities, and increased concern about drunken behaviour.

Government plans laid out in the Violent Crime Reduction Bill show that they have made the link between binge-drinking and violent crime. We welcome ideas such as Drink Banning Orders and Alcohol Disorder Zones, which may go some way in stopping incidents of violence and disorder occurring. However, we believe that a punitive stance is only half of the solution and must go hand in hand with a more pro-active approach to tackle the root causes of binge-drinking and prevent incidents of crime occurring in the first place.

That must involve better alcohol education at every level and a commitment to identifying individuals whose drinking is causing a problem and ensuring they get the support they need to deal with it. Arrest-referral schemes have been shown to reduce re-offending rates amongst problem drinkers, and we hope that government will give them national support as part of their wider strategy to tackle violent crime.?

ENDS

Date: 21 July 2005