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Current Issues |
Licensing The recent reforms to the licensing regime represent the biggest changes since the first world war. The changes aim to reduce crime and disorder and challenge the UK binge drinking culture as well as encourage tourism. Alcohol Concern welcomed many of these but believe that more still needs to be done to effectively tackle the problems of disorder seen in our town and city centres at weekends. Briefing on Licensing Act Evidence to the ODPM Select Committee Enquiry on the Evening Economy Crime and Anti Social Behaviour Mounting crime rates are regarded as one of the most serious social problems in the United Kingdom today. The role alcohol misuse plays in crime and anti social behaviour is complex and alcohol does not always cause crime but can be a significant contributory factor. This is true of both anti social behaviour and of violent crime where Home Office Statistics estimate that in 40% of cases, victims say that perpetrators were under the influence of alcohol. The costs of alcohol to the criminal justice system are estimated to be 7.3 £Billion a year. Briefing on Alcohol and Anti social behaviour Offenders, Mental Health and Alcohol Cabinet Office consultation on a National Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy The Prime Minister's Strategy Unit is currently drawing up a National Harm Reduction Strategy which will look at how we can tackle the problems caused by alcohol misuse using all the public policy levers at our disposal. Changes to the way that alcohol is advertised, improving how our Town and city centers are developed and increasing the funding for treatment services can all help to prevent problems developing for individuals and for communities as a whole. Alcohol misuse successfully is vital if key targets in public health, crime and disorder and social exclusion are to be met. Click here for Alcohol Concerns response to the Strategy Unit Consultation. Response to the National Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy |
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