Alcohol and crime
Did you know that nationally alcohol is a factor in nearly half of all violent crimes?1 Whilst Devon and Cornwall has the 4th lowest crime rate in England and Wales, alcohol related crime and antisocial behaviour remains a significant concern within our communities.
Whilst a significant proportion of alcohol related crime occurs in public, it is also a concerning factor related to violence in the home. For more advice about violence or abuse in the home, please select this link.
For more information about drink driving please select this link.
Even fooling around when drunk can result in police action, for example exposing your genital parts in a public place, could result in you being placed on the sex offences register.
Punishments for alcohol-related offences
There are a range of measures available to us to tackle alcohol-related crime. For example:
- Police caution
- Penalty notices
- Directions to Leave (DTL)
- Arrest and imprisonment
- Magistrate's Court exclusion orders
- Drink Banning Orders (currently in Plymouth, West Cornwall and South Devon)
- Three Strikes banning scheme (currently in Exeter and Northern Devon)
Other consequences of a criminal record
Being convicted of an alcohol-related offence might lead to many other consequences for you, such as:
- Being unable to visit some countries such as the USA
- Being unable to volunteer or work with vulnerable people e.g. coaching your child's football team
- Preclude you from some forms of employment
Alcohol-related crime in your area
If you’re concerned about alcohol-related crime in your area, there are a number of steps that you can take:
- Contact your local neighbourhood policing team to let them know about the problem – they specialise in neighbourhood issues like this, and hold regular meetings with residents
- Contact your local council to let them know what’s happening
- Join a local Neighbourhood Watch group or residents association to raise concerns together
1. www.direct.gov.uk accessed 15.11.2010