ACPO plans nationwide alcohol-abuse initiative

Police officers from across the country will patrol streets identified as violence ‘hot spots’ this weekend, as part of an initiative aimed at highlighting the issue of binge drinking.

The operation, due to begin on September 19, follows an Association of Chief Police Officers-led (ACPO-led) campaign to tackle problems in the night-time economy, which it says are “blighting” communities.

ACPO said that despite a debate last year on how to reduce the problems caused by alcohol abuse, there have been few changes and police still have to bring in officers from other patrols to deal with drunk and disorderly behaviour in town centres at the weekend.

At present, the economic impact of excessive alcohol consumption on health and police services and the wider UK economy has been put at £21 billion – £11 billion of which is the result of alcohol-related crime.

Chief Constable Adrian Lee, ACPO lead for Alcohol Harm, said: “We have seen increased efforts in the last 12 months from the alcohol industry and licensed venues to tackle excessive drinking, but these efforts have barely scratched the surface of a problem that is blighting our communities.

“Voluntary measures such as stopping the production of ‘super strength’ products in large cans, a commitment to responsible promotion of alcohol in shops and supermarkets and a small investment in education in schools are steps in the right direction. But they are small steps. There is much more to be done.”

Mr Lee said a measure of the impact alcohol has in his force, Northamptonshire Police, found that in a 24-hour period, 27 per cent of incidents reported to the force were alcohol-related – and that was excluding the demand on the police from weekend drinkers.

“To make real change we need strong oversight of the alcohol industry, we need to look at ways of dealing with the price and availability of alcohol and effective treatment for offenders with alcohol problems,” he said.

“But there is only so much progress we can make without individuals taking personal responsibility for their drinking. Social tolerance for excessive drinking is far too great and it is considered normal to be so drunk that people are not in control of themselves. This puts an enormous burden on police and health services and affects the service we offer to the public.”

It is hoped that the weekend initiative will go some way to raising awareness of the impact of alcohol abuse on the emergency services.

As part of the scheme, officers will issue warnings to those heavily under the influence of alcohol, and some will be asked to leave the town or city centres.

Officers will also visit schools to speak to pupils about alcohol awareness, as well as universities where police are targeting the thousands of new students taking part in freshers` week celebrations.

In some venues breathalyser trials will be set up, offering customers a chance to test their intoxication levels.

In Loughborough, a number of venues will be trialling a scheme whereby people are breathalysed as a condition of entry. There will also be road show events to promote responsible drinking, and street pastors will be on hand in town centres to offer advice and support.