Only a small number of specified offences are defined by their nature as alcohol-related where statute indicates that there has to be an element of drunkenness. These include offences of being drunk and disorderly, drunk and incapable or drink driving. Offences that may be triggered by alcohol are far more difficult to quantify as there is no statutory requirement and no singular way of recording an ‘alcohol related offence.’

In their report ‘Guidance for local partnerships on alcohol-related crime and disorder data’ (2003) the Home Office suggested that alcohol-related crime or disorder should be defined as ‘instances of crime and disorder that occurred, and/or occurred at that

However the problem still remains at a worryingly high level. There needs to be significant improvement in the defining and quantifying of the problems caused by alcohol as occurred when there became a statutory requirement to record racially motivated crimes. This will provide a clear overview of the problem and influence strategies to tackle the issues raised.

• 76,000 facial injuries caused by assaults.

• Four out of five attendances at Accident & Emergency departments during peak hours are alcohol-related.

Each week there are around 13,000 violent incidents occurring in and around licensed premises (Deehan, 2003) and does not include offences of disorder such as those governed by the 1985 Public Order Act or common law breaches of the peace. This figure however may just be the tip of the iceberg as many incidents and offences go unreported because the victim is too intoxicated or unwilling to make a complaint to the police. Many violent acts fuelled by alcohol stem from excessive drinking and the so-called ‘Lager Lout’ culture (Tuck, 1989) taking place on Friday and Saturday nights outside pubs and clubs. There is clear evidence that setting has a major impact on alcohol-related violence.

Faced with a problem of this scale it seems inconceivable that despite calls since 1995 the Government have still failed in their promise to deliver a national strategy to co-ordinate the actions of statutory and voluntary organisations.

Some topics in this essay:
Drugs Together’, Setting Whilst, Disorder Act, National Strategy, Crime Survey, Action Plan, Public Act, Related Violence, Wales Whilst, Accident Emergency, licensed premises, alcohol-related violence, crime disorder, bcs 2000, violent crime, white paper, domestic violence, violent incidents, play significant role, local level, include offences, alcohol-related crime disorder, ‘tasc’ project cardiff, white paper based, british crime survey,