Crime Reduction - Helping to Reduce Crime in Your Area

Drink and Disorder: Alcohol, crime and anti-social behaviour

Nacro

This Nacro Policy report provides an in-depth examination of the relationship between alcohol and crime. It highlights a wide range of factors contributing to alcohol-related crime and expands the debate well beyond the simplistic notion that drink alone is, in a straightforward sense, the cause of many crimes.

It also scrutinises recent government initiatives, outlines good practice and provides further recommendations to reduce the problem of alcohol-related crime.

Chapters in the report cover:

Alcohol: its effects and consequences :

The consumption of alcohol is often regarded as a relaxing and convivial activity, in many cases enjoyed with little or no ill effect. However, for some people, drinking can cause many problems. This section looks at the extent of problem drinking, the factors leading to it, and the types and proportion of crimes committed by intoxicated offenders.

Does alcohol cause crime? :

Evidence suggests a very strong link between alcohol and crime. However the notion that alcohol alone causes crime is incorrect. This section outlines other contributory factors often present in alcohol-related crime

When, where, how and why? :

For many people in Britain, drinking is often seen as an integral part of “having a good time”. But this can mean drinking to excess, often by people under the legal age limit. This section challenges the drinking culture in the UK and looks at the less than ideal environments in which alcohol is consumed. The report argues that fostering a drinking culture less conductive to crime and anti-social behaviour is fundamental to crime reduction.

Tackling alcohol- related crime :

Combating alcohol-related crime can not be the responsibility of the criminal justice system alone: input is also required from community organisations, including police, local authorities, health services, schools and probation. This section outlines current legislation and recent joined-up initiatives introduced by the Government to tackle problem drinking.

Recommendations

More work must be done to reduce alcohol-related crime. Nacro proposes a number of measures to combat problem drinking. These recommendations cover the criminal justice system, treatment programmes, responsibilities of licensees and the alcohol industry, environmental and situational factors, education and the drinking culture

Copies of the report, priced £7.50 plus 50p P+P, are available from:

Copies can also be ordered via the Nacro website at www.nacro.org.uk 

Last update: Monday, August 06, 2007