Alcohol Related Crime

Safer north devon Alcohol plays an important role in our economy with significant revenue for local business and growing associated industry such as leisure and tourism. Over 90% of the adult population drink alcohol.

It is widely accepted that those who enjoy alcohol in moderation obtain some health and social gain. However, it is also emerging as an area of community concern as we witness an increase in binge drinking and alcohol related crime.

Alcohol related crime is a huge subject area and this page briefly covers the following subjects:

The effects of alcohol on communities
What causes excessive drinking?
Health and Treatment
Useful Links

The effects of alcohol on communities

In 2003/04 alcohol related disorder in Northern Devon increased by 12.8%.

Over the past 3 years Devon has seen an increase of nearly 20% year on year of referrals to Addactions alcohol intervention services, indicating an increase in wider alcohol related issues including crime.

23,000 incidents of alcohol related violence take place in Britain each week.

Early indicators of Anti-Social Behaviour with alcohol related conditions in young people suggests a problem, Safer North Devon is committed to investigate further and design appropriate responses through partnership.

What causes excessive drinking?

Reasons for drinking excessively can include:

Low self-esteem
Poverty
History of abuse
History of drinking within the family
Peer pressure
To blank out problems
Depression
Stress at home and/or work
Unemployment

Other local possible triggers within North Devon and Torridge:

Rural isolation
Village ‘pub culture’
Lack of public transport in order to access other activities
Low wages
Insecure employment, eg declining farm work, short term seasoned contracts
Lack of affordable housing leading to often cramped and uncomfortable living conditions
Inaccessible health and treatment services

Health and Treatment

Approximately 50% of cases of cancer are of the oesophagus
70% of cases of chronic pancreatitis are related to problematic alcohol use
40% of all road injuries are alcohol related

Useful Links, Publications and Articles - For more information please try the links below.

www.addaction.org.uk
www.drinkanddrugs.net
www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk
www.turning-point.co.uk
www.thinksafedrinksafe.co.uk
www.alcoholconcern.org.uk

Unfinished Business:A State of Play Report on Alcohol and the Licensing Act 2003 - LGA

Drinking in Scotland - Times Online