Drink culture fuelling epidemic of violence, UK

Main Category: Alcohol / Addiction / Illegal Drugs
Article Date: 23 Nov 2004 - 21:00 PDT

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The UK's drinking culture is leading to an epidemic of violence, according to the Home Office's latest expert.

The former Boston police chief Paul Evans is urging the introduction of tough new sanctions to help combat excess drinking and related violence in the UK.

The proposals could include drinkers caught fighting in city centres given points on their driving licences or facing on-the-spot fines.

In addition, the use of antisocial behaviour orders could ban constant offenders from some drinking establishments and city centres.

The Observer newspaper also claims that the police are planning to launch operations on businesses serving under-age drinkers and closure notices on pubs and clubs associated with drinking-related crime.

"I'm not sure it can get much worse," said Mr Evans, describing the behaviour of people within city centres on Friday and Saturday nights.

"If you're in the business of fighting crime, then you have to be in the business of dealing with the alcohol issue."

Mr Evans is particular concerned that plans to introduce new licensing laws allowing 24-hour drinking could lead to even more violence.

Government studies show that 44 per cent of violent crimes are alcohol-related and that 70 per cent of weekend hospital admissions are linked to drinking.

http://www.hda-online.org.uk