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Search for press releases£330,000 to tackle alcohol-fuelled crime in London
10 December 2008
Eleven London boroughs will each receive £30,000 to tackle specific local troublespots of alcohol-related crime and disorder.
Hackney, Islington, Westminster, Tower Hamlets, Barking and Dagenham, Hammersmith and Fulham, Lambeth, Waltham Forest, Ealing, Newham and Southwark will be given a share of a new national Home Office £1.5 million fund.
This money is available to the 50 priority areas which have the highest levels of alcohol-related crime and disorder and public concern about drunk and rowdy behaviour. This money will be used to tackle underage sales, confiscate alcohol from under 18s and to carry out tougher alcohol enforcement work.
Statement from Home Office Minister
Alan Campbell said, 'This money provides a timely boost to law enforcement as we approach the festive period.
'In many areas police and local authorities are effectively using the range of tools and powers we have provided to tackle alcohol related crime and disorder. We have backed that with £3 million in every part of England and Wales and an additional £1.5 million for our priority areas. This means a third of a million pounds in 11 London boroughs.
'I fully expect this will boost the drive against alcohol-related crime and disorder, and help reduce alcohol related problems in London.'
In addition to the £1.5 million for the 50 priority areas, a further £3 million has already been awarded to 190 crime and disorder reduction partnerships across England and Wales to enforce the law against alcohol-related crime and disorder.
This £3 million fund will be spent on supporting local, multi-agency campaigns to tackle alcohol related crime and disorder.
Statement from Southwark Council, London
Councillor Paul Kyriacou, Southwark Council’s (new window) executive member for community safety, said, 'Southwark’s already ahead of the game when it comes to tackling alcohol-related issues. We’ve introduced areas where alcohol can be easily confiscated from people causing nuisance, limited the number of late licences issued in alcohol hotspots, and continue to carry out extensive trading standard work – which has resulted in a 40 per cent improvement in compliance around alcohol sales since 2004.
'We welcome funding which will support us to find new and innovative ways of educating retailers selling alcohol on the rules, raising public awareness about alcohol related crime and disorder, and making sure enforcement is fast and effective.'
The government is also running a series of regional training workshops to encourage more effective and consistent use by the police and local authorities of the tools they have available to tackle alcohol related crime and disorder; and developing a comprehensive digital support package for those at the frontline of the drive to tackle alcohol-fuelled crime and disorder.
Code of conduct for alcohol retailers
Last week, the government announced it will introduce a mandatory code of conduct for alcohol retailers. Early next year the government will consult on what should be a compulsory condition of having a licence to sell alcohol which includes:
- banning offers like ‘all you can drink for £10'
- outlawing pubs and bars offering promotions to certain groups, such as women only
- requiring that consumers are able to see unit content of all alcohol when they buy it
- requiring bars and pubs to have the minimum sized glasses available for customers who want them.
Notes to editors
The National Alcohol Strategy Safe. Sensible. Social (new window) is available for download on the Department of Health website.
A summary of responses to the Department of Health’s consultation on an alcohol retail code (new window) is on the Department of Health website.
