Alcohol Problems And Law In The Uk Criminology Essay

inebriantic drink Problems And rightfulness In The Uk Criminology Essay intoxicantic beverageic drink has been associated with m both health and social businesss for centuries to a greater extent all oer it is only in recent age that the extent of a great deal(prenominal) tasks has been quantified. fit to World Health Organisation it is estimated that inebriantic beverageic drink is the four-spotth leading adventure positionor for death and disability globally, al close at par with tobacco. The UK has integrity of the biggest intoxi female genitalstic drinkic beverageic beverageic drinkic drink problems in Europe. New and significant changes in beverage patterns study developed in Britain over the give-up the ghost twenty days, leading to evolution c at one timerns that we atomic number 18 placing our health and wellspring cosmos at greater jeopardy of injure from alcohol. The creation of a culture of drink to get inebriate or replete drinking i s seen as the most significant causative factor of alcohol dependency and alcohol fuelled abominations5. Crime connected by inebriateden individuals is an on sack serious problem for not only the legal philosophy, solely for the familiar and victims who fork up to deal with the some times terrible significations of offenders who commit villainys whilst beneath the influence of alcohol. For a number of years it has been a well cognize belief that alcohol is a major trigger in a separate of offensive activitys that go been connected in England and Wales. Nevertheless it cannot be tell that e truly person who drinks alcohol in an irresponsible manner leave al unitary go on to commit a criminal offence as latest figures be stool proven that alcohol cereb ordain disgust is committed by a small minority of those populate who consume alcohol irresponsibly6.The link amid alcohol and crime has been greatly enter over the years7. umpteen believe that the potential cons equences of intoxication such as heightened levels of aggression, and impaired cognitive functioning, may be risk factors in experiences of crime and discommode, whether in sexual intercourse to being a victim or a perpetrator8. Alcohol dependant slew ar over represented in prison commonwealths all over England and Wales comp bed with the general population9. There argon excessively a growing proportion of alcohol dependant offenders who book committed crime whilst on a lower floor the influence of alcohol, which in turn leads to numerous discovers that alcohol all the way seems to be a severe causative factor in a huge number of crimes committed against the person10.The whitlow Justice System in England and Wales is very to a greater extent burdened with alcohol tie in crime. It is estimated that these crimes cost the UK surrounded by 8 and 13 billion pound per year11. The cost includeCost to the Criminal Justice System 1.8 billionCosts to services as consequence of a lcohol associate crime 3.5 billionCosts to services in anticipation of alcohol relate crime 1.5 billionHuman costs of alcohol related crime 4.7 billion12.The Licensing misrepresent up 2003 which came into depict at the end of November 2005 abolished set licensing hours in England and Wales13. The overall innovation of the Licensing exertion 2003 was to change a rigid system whilst reducing the problems of drinking and disease associated with a standard climax time14. It was likewise hoped that the Licensing influence 2003 coupled with other governance initiatives would second to bring close to a much than favorable drinking culture15.The Licensing crop 2003 has been the subject of much controversy16. Although its aim was specifically to kick inress problems associated with late night drinking, in the run up to implementation it was presented by some of the media drunkards charter, whereby alcohol would be on sale 24 hours a day17. The major concern by the publ ic and the police was that it would withstand a major effect on crime and pain18. The Licensing Act 2003 passed on much responsibilities to the local authorities, also re sore the statutory licensing hours with opening hours set locally through the conditions of individual licenses19. The new licensing authorities were expected to grant the licenses requested by licensees unless it was proven that the Acts four objectives were not being promoted20. The four objectives atomic number 18The pr all the sametion of crime and disorderPublic safetyThe pr thus fartion of public nuisanceThe protection of children from harm21.It became obvious and down the stairsstandable that most of the general public were not in party favour of the new licensing hour, and were fearful of the impact it would go through not meet on themselves, only when on their communities and t professs. During the first year after the Act22came into force, they seemed to be hardly any change in alcohol related o ffences, Murder, manslaughter, and serious hurt had fallen by 5 portion over the evening and night time periods in the twelve months after the Licensing Act 2003 came into force23. nevertheless at that place was an ontogenesis in the small metrical composition of these crimes hazard between 3am and 6am24. The category of offences which included less serious offences of wounding and assaults with no injury go from November 2004 until November 200525. Offences of harassment showed a steady increase from November 2004 until November 2005 and then plateaued26. Criminal damage offences fell by 1 pctage in the year after the change27. However whilst there was bigger falls in the number of offences during the daytime, there was a 2 part increase during the evening and night time periods which amounted to a 14 percent increase28.However there was another report by The internal Office comp atomic number 18d the data from 30 different police forces between November 2005 to declina tion 2006 to see again how the Licensing Act 2003 had affected crime and disorder29. The results wereA 1% emission in the overall number of violent crimes, disorder and criminal damage incidents occurring between 6pm and 6amA 22% rise between 3am and 6am in the 3 month period after the law had changedA 25% increase in serious violent crimes committed between 3am and 6am30.There were legion(predicate) qualitative interviews conducted by Home Office researchers of licensing berth provide and those from responsible authorities were fairly consistent most respondents depict problems of crime and disorder associated with the night time economy as lasting or declining31. However most reported that this was cryptograph to do with the changes brought around by the Licensing Act 200332. Unless all(prenominal) police station completed a report on the exact alcohol related crime figures since the Licensing Act 2003 came into force then the impact remains vague.Since the Act33came into force, the pressure of some another(prenominal) police officers has increased, mainly be reason masses atomic number 18 getting drunk at all different times of the day and night, therefore the police atomic number 18 traffic with drunk wad and alcohol related crimes for longer periods of time, referable to prohibit and clubs being open for longer hours. The Licensing Act 2003 was intended to shake off it easier for responsible authorities and local residents to call for the local authority to recap a licence34. Between April 2006 and March 2007 ninety two licences were revoked35. In 2007 the government introduced some strategies and guidance safe, levelheaded and social, for table service in essay to reduce alcohol related crime36. The strategy endeavoured to deliver ternary important pointsTo keep in line that the laws and licensing powers in the UK help to protect early people and bear down on irresponsibly run premise, and ar being used widely and effectively (Enforcement)To promote an environment which encourages sensible drinking through investment in better information and communications (Education and Prevention)To ensure that there is a greater focus on the minority of drinkers who cause or experience most harm to themselves, their communities and their families (Treatment and Afterc atomic number 18)37.Although other legislation has been introduced to help assist the police in their aim to reduce alcohol related crime, for example penalty notices for disorder, drinking banning orders, directions to leave and licensed premise closure orders, it is much resources that are needed to help reduce alcohol fuelled crime38. Although the police feel had increased powers to deal with drunken offenders, they cool it cannot seem to decrease the amount of alcohol related crime39. In 2006 the Violent Crime Reduction Act was introduced, which introduced new measures to ensure that police and local communities have the powers they need to tackl e violent crimes including alcohol related crime40. However this did not seem to have a positivistic effect on crime reduction either.Many offenders of alcohol related crime do not seem to be habitual offenders many will have only one encounter with the criminal rightness system41. However some offenders are arrested repeatedly for alcohol related offences. Mechanisms for identifying why they reoffend and referring them for help are haphazard, meaning that they continue offending to their own detriment and that of society, whilst also winning up criminal justice resources42. With pubs and bar open for longer hours during the day and night then this cannot be ministrant in any way to help reduce the crime rate fuelled by alcohol. Many have argued that the alcohol attention has a bouncy role in helping to prevent and tackle the harms caused by alcohol misuse43. However many would also agree with the fact that the alcohol indus effort do not do enough to try and help reduce alco hol related crime. Many different organisations can be classed as being responsible for reducing crime, including the offender himself and his family, nonetheless the alcohol industry are in aver of how they advertise their alcohol, how it is coveyaged and how it is promoted. The alcohol industry should be working hard to help and if this means sacking beyond their statutory responsibilities then so be it. Since 2006 the challenge 21 scheme has been fairly successful in raising awareness among publicans and their staff of the need to be vigilant in preventing nonaged sales44. Pubs are now turning away over one million underage customers each month who, when challenged were unable to provide acceptable proof of their age, this clearly indicates that the trade is making a bigger effort to enforce the law and prevent under age sales of alcohol45. Challenge 25 gives more(prenominal) staff a wider margin of protection, as if the customer looks under 25 then the staff can ask for pr oof that they are over 18. In 2009 Britains drink industry announced a one million social marketing campaign aimed at encouraging more responsible drinking amongst young adults and shifting attitudes towards drunkenness46. Supermarkets are also a contributing factor towards alcohol related crime ascribable to their ability to sell alcohol at hugely reduced costs. parallel bars and clubs have to sell alcohol at a certain price, merely supermarkets can afford to lower the price of alcohol, and nearly both supermarket has numerous offers on their alcohol, for example, 3 bottles of wine for 10 and numerous cans of lager for a low price. therefrom many people are drinking more at home plate, and many people are also drinking more before going out due to the low prices in supermarkets.Statistics in 2010 show that7,800 premises have 24 hour licenses, of which4,400 are hotel bars1,700 are supermarkets or shops1,000 are pubs, bars and nightclubs800 are other premises47.The above statist ics have been a concern for the police and the general public. introductory to the Licensing Act 2003 most of the above establishments shut at 11pm, this in fact meant that there was a rise in assaults and antisocial behaviour because people were fighting and arguing as they were leaving the bars and clubs48. However with 24 hour licenses in place, brawls and fighting are not just happening at 11pm, they are happening at all hours of the day and night. and so alcohol consumption seems to have risen since the introduction of the Licensing Act 2003.The government produceed that the Licensing Act 2003 would help to reduce stuff drinking as well as alcohol related crime. This seemed quite an absurd and un presumable claim, due to the face that for people that want to overeat drink, bars and clubs will be open longer. With bars and clubs staying open for longer periods of time, then people are no less likely to binge drink than before the Licensing Act 2003 came into force. An array of modern alcohol products and marketing strategies are especially intentional to encourage and exploit the binge drinking culture49. A queen-sized segment of the pub sector appears to operate on the basis of pack them in, get them drunk, and chuck them out50. Speed drinking bars have also become very popular with binge drinkers, with a lot of bars now charging only 15.00 for unlimited alcohol all night51. However in 2009 there were strict conditions included in a new mandatory code on alcohol sales launched for reference point by Home Secretary at the time Jacqui Smith52. because these drink all you want promotions were banned. More and more young people are being targeted to drink alcohol every year. Alcohol industries have even admitted that they have to now compete with any other mind-blowing products, hence the developments such asInventing a new range of motive drinks to appeal specifically to young peopleIncreasing the strength of alcohol products targeted at the young Marketing alcohol to young people on the basis of its psychoactive properties and hedonistic appeal53.There seems to be nothing whatsoever in the above to justify regarding the abolition of fixed closing times as a key mechanism for reducing binge drinking54. Longer drinking hours has in fact given the binge drinking pattern of consumption more scope and encouragement55. However the government have been known to disagree with the above statement. The government have claimed that since the Licensing Act 2003 came into force, binge drinking has reduced considerably. The governments claims are completely unequal to(p)56. There is no cause to prove their claim, and is ironic for the government to claim such things with no evidence, especially as they state that one of the sanctioned requirements for of the national harm reduction strategy is that it will be evidence based57. Recent surveys of young adults aged between 18 and 24 concluded that a big percentage of them had committed a crime in the twelve months previous due to having been binge drinking at the time of the offence. The survey also set up that young adults who got very drunk at least once a week were almost sevener times as likely to admit to criminal damage, five times as likely to admit to fighting, and four times as likely to become involved in an argument than those who got drunk less than once a month58.Prevention of alcohol related crime over the past decade has been somewhat confusing and misguided as to the veridical help and effect on the overall decrease in the problem that it has. People drink alcohol for many different reasons clinical professionals have often been in disagreement with each other of how to tackle alcohol related crimes. For many individuals there are underlying problems that lead individual to alcohol, and that leads someone to be alcohol dependant. The government seem to be very quick at placing the blame on others apart from themselves. Since the Licensing Act 200 3 the NHS has seen a lot more admissions of patients with serious problems from drinking too much alcohol whether it is from assaults or from liver disease and other physical illnesses from alcohol. The government have done absolutely nothing over the past hardly a(prenominal) years to make alcohol drinks less affordable. Alcohol is more widely usable and cheaper than it has been since the 1970s59. The purchase of alcoholic drinks by UK households has risen ten percent in a year. In the last decade there has been a fifty percent increase of people drinking at home this is an awful lot of drinking for children to be witnessing60. Alcohol is now even stronger than it used to be. Surely one would ascertain that if the price of alcohol rose then this would help in decreasing alcohol related offences. Alcohol companies could actually do extra in helping the government to control and decrease the problems when dealing with alcohol and its ever growing increase in junior people seeing a lcohol as escapism but not realising the risks and consequences that alcohol can have on their body, mind and life. The alcohol firms did come to some kind of agreement with the government a few years ago in which they said that by the end of 2008 they would strike off the majority of alcohol drinks with information about the number of units contained in the drink, the recommended sensible drinking guidelines for men and women, and the website address for the drinkaware trust61. However very few companies complied with this, and just 50 percent of all drinks actually carry any standards62. However it has to be recognised that more and more adverts are appearing on our television screens each year regarding the dangers of drinking too much alcohol. Nearly every advert that advertisers alcohol has a warning and the cognomen of the drinkaware website on the screen this is a good improvement over the last few years.Preventing alcohol related crime is also an ongoing problem for the police. Whilst alcohol related health and social problems amongst youths are increasing internationally, both consumption and associated harms are particularly high in British youths63. Alcohol related crime is also taking the police away from dealing with more serious crimes. The British youths of today are down alcohol more frequently than any other generation. Binge drinking and mates group pressure are amongst the main concerns for schoolchildren. Most youths and unfortunately children are drinking in public places, for example, street corners and parks, outside youth clubs and even in their own homes. With habits and pressures like these there is a high rise in the amount of acute military unit and long term alcohol dependence64. In a statement made by a chief inspector of a police station in London, it was declared that the police concern is that there are already too many people leaving licensed premises, particularly after 1.00am, and any more will place a burden on the a rea and add to the existing crime and disorder65. Since this statement was made it appears that problems of drunkenness, crime and disorder have increased in the West end of London as hours of trading have been extended66. An analysis of the criminal offences in relation to licensed premises in West End Central found that in 2000 the peak time for violent offences was 1.00am, and the report concluded that the crime in and around the direct vicinity of licensed premises is occurring at later hours due to the extended licensing hours67.The evaluation of the Home Office report clearly indicates that the impact of the Act in its first year of functioning brought fewer problems than were feared by pessimists, and fewer benefits than expected by optimists68. There are three explanations for the findings one is that the new licensing regime has not significantly changed patterns of drinking the second is that there have been significant changes to drinking patterns, but that these changes have not led to more crime and disorder the third is that rectangular factors have had a bigger impact than the changes to licensing hours69.The UK has witnessed significant alcohol ethnical changes over the last decade. Young women are especially drinking more, and binge drinking seems to be a popular pastime for the youngsters of today. It is a major fear when teenagers are beginning their drinking careers at increasingly younger ages. Ten years ago it was the age range of 15 to 16 year olds that were drinking alcohol frequently, now figures have shown that children as young as 9 and 10 are being introduced to alcohol, and are also drinking twice the amount that younger people drank ten years ago. Alcohol fuelled domestic violence seems to have been overlooked by the crime statistics in every year since the Licensing Act 2003 came into force because when domestic violence through alcohol is reported, it is not classed as a alcohol related crime70. Alcohol is one of the main fact ors that contribute to domestic violence. It is extremely obvious that more needs to be done to achieve a vast reduction in alcohol related crime. The government have set out various conditions and legislation but it seems that the alcohol industry and supermarkets are not one hundred percent in favour of making our streets much safer by helping to reduce alcohol fuelled crime. Therefore if we as a country are sincere in absent to reduce alcohol related crimes then perhaps a more tactical effect would be best achieved by starting with the businesses that are accountable for supplying alcohol to the public. Many bars and nightclubs sell easy drinks, water and non alcoholic beverages however it is normally the case that soft drinks are more expensive than the alcoholic drinks. People who commit crimes whilst drunk are more often than not in need of help or counselling for their excessive drinking. This kind of help is never easy to achieve, and with most perpetrators of crime leavi ng the police station with just a warning then is it any wonder that they are most likely going to commit another crime once they have had some more alcohol. Harsher penalties should be given. In recent years numerous young adults have been interviewed about what their view is on how alcohol related crime can be decreased. The majority of the individuals stated that more should be done to try and moderate consumption of alcohol however nobody can force someone to stop drinking. Many suggestions centred on licensed premises and what could be done within them to discourage excessive drinking and promote more moderate drinking71. Bar staff should perhaps be prepare more effectively so that they know when someone has had enough alcohol therefore discouraging the person to not drink anymore. With more and more premises every year opening for longer hours it seems that people are being tempted to drink more. Non-alcoholic drinks should certainly cost less than alcoholic drinks. It seems that every year bars and clubs are offering new promotions to encourage people to drink more, alcoholic drinks such as shots are the new vehemence at the moment, and are normally fairly cheap to buy if not free with your first drink.. With information such as this then there is nothing to suggest that the Licensing Act 2003 has had any positive impact on helping to reduce the crimes that are committed whilst people are under the influence of alcohol. Prevention is paramount therefore educating children in secondary schools of the dangers of consuming alcohol should be of major importance72. Many schools educate youngsters about the dangers of taking drugs, so why doesnt educating children of the risks caused by drinking alcohol taking place in our schools73. Alcohol did not seem to be a major problem regarding crime over ten years ago. The left(p) fight or criminal damage was sometimes fuelled by alcohol but there was not as near the problems our country has today. Many people are still of the opinion that the Licensing Act 2003 was completely non affective and that the government really need to readdress certain issues regarding the alcohol industry, so that peradventure our drinks culture would not be so appealing74. Not every individual who consumes alcohol can be convinced to drink less, however if tougher sentences were given for the perpetrators of alcohol related crime then maybe this would make the offender think twice before having that next drink.total speech 3968