BINGE DRINKING VIOLENCE IS SPREADING LIKE A VIRUS ACROSS LONDON

12.01.00am GMT Thu 17th Mar 2005

New figures to be discussed at the Metropolitan Police Authority later today show that in the last four years the number of London Boroughs experiencing problems with alcohol related crime has more than doubled from six to 15.

The information also reveals that there has been a 10% increase in violence against the person in the last year, with more than four out of five of the additional incidents as a result of alcohol.

Liberal Democrat London Assembly Policing Spokesperson, and Met Police Authority Member, Lynne Featherstone, said:-

"These figures are deeply worrying. Far too many people are finding themselves on the receiving end of drunken violent crime, and the police are finding themselves stretched to breaking point on Friday and Saturday nights.

"The real danger is that alcohol related violence is spreading like a virus across the capital.

"These figures make it clear that London has seen a massive increase in levels of yobbish and violent behaviour connected to alcohol and late-night revelling.

"It is time for the Mayor and the Government to take a firm stand to prevent London's town centres from becoming no-go areas for the police and public alike. Part of the solution must be to make sure the drinks industry plays it part, and pays for the extra policing required."

ENDS

Notes to editor

The Met Police Authority meeting will be held on Thursday 17 March 2005. Full details of the committee agenda can be found at:

http://www.mpa.gov.uk/committees/ppr/2005/050317/08.htm

The information regarding violence against the person can be seen below and is taken from the papers in the weblink:-

"4. Exhibit 1 below shows that Violence against the person has increased by 10 percent over the last year. Alcohol is responsible for 84 percent of the increase or 15,200 additional offences. Additional police effort in tackling alcohol related crimes (counted as police reported crime - Fixed penalty notices for drunkenness and disorder), is responsible for 50 percent of increase or additional 9,100 (top slice of chart below). Victim reported alcohol related crime is responsible for 30 percent of the increase or additional 6,000, split equally between domestic and non domestic violence. Non alcohol related crime is responsible for the remaining 16 percent or 2,900 offences. VAP increased by 10 percent overall, over 80% of the increase due to alcohol related incidents

5. Furthermore, alcohol related assaults on police have risen by more than one hundred and fifty per cent over the last three years. In 2004 there were 959 alcohol related assaults on police, just over one quarter of all assaults on police.

6. Exhibit 2 shows how VAP offences involving alcohol (excluding domestic violence and police reported violence) has spread during the period 2000 to 2004. Previously six Boroughs where experiencing problems, while in 2004 the problem has spread to fifteen Boroughs."

Lib Dem Policy on tackling alcohol fuelled crime:-

· With the right control and support mechanisms in place, more flexible licensing hours could help reduce the problems caused by binge drinking and alcohol-related violence. But despite the good intentions of the Government's legislations, we didn't believe these controls were in place when the bill was introduced - we voted against at 2nd and 3rd reading - and we still don't.

· The Government's approach threatens to leave police and local authorities in a legal quagmire. Ministers should urgently consider delaying the implementation of these plans to allow police and Local Authorities more time to prepare.

· Recent moves - such as the proposals for 'Alcohol Disorder Zones' - to take binge drinking seriously are welcome as it creates havoc in city centres, ties up too much police time and stops many people enjoying themselves in a safe way. We await more detail on the proposals following the on-going consultation.

· Any levy on the industry should be linked to tackling this problem with money going to more doormen, CCTV systems as well as helping local policing. All of these solutions should be managed at a local level consulting the police and local communities. While the fee hike for big town and city centre pubs will help prevent previously envisaged council tax rises resulting from the new licensing system, the hikes for amateur sports clubs will be a major blow.

· We must improve labelling for alcohol in terms of units contained and health dangers.