Crime and Disorder
Many believe that alcohol is a major cause of violence and disorder in the UK. However, in spite of a large body of research looking at alcohol and crime, the exact relationship is still uncertain.Alcohol is often reported as the root of many crime and social disorder incidents. Media coverage of this repeatedly endorses this link, hand in hand with police stats that indicate that 60-80% of all violent crime is alcohol related.
The reality is more uncertain, with other factors apart from alcohol consumption contributing to criminal or anti-social behaviour. Social attitudes and beliefs about alcohol consumption in todays society are very prevelant and are used by some as an excuse for bad behaviour or as a 'template' for conduct after drinking by others.
There is currently very little reliable data on all but alcohol specific crimes making it very difficult to assess the true extent of so-called alcohol-related crime and violence. In a recently commissioned report for the Portman Group,Dr Peter Marsh found very widespread inconsistancy in both the definition and the recording of alcohol-related crime and disorder among police forces. He found that only 10% of police forces have comparable data and that statistics were distorted by the routine inclusion of both victim and perpetrators.
Some environmental and situational strategies can have a significant effect on reducing levels of assault and injury in and around licensed premises. Many initiatives have been implemented on a local and national level with some sucess. These include pubwatch schemes, use of toughened glass, training for doorstaff and servers, and good design principles in licensed premises.
For further information on alcohol-related crime and disorder follow the links below:
Counting the Cost
Drinking and Public Disorder
Crime Reduction Unit - Home Office
This information comes courtesy of the Portman Group
For further information please press below.
Portman Group
