Blears promises blitz on ‘drunk and disorderly’

In the run up to Christmas, Home Office Minister Hazel Blears has pledged a blitz on alcohol fuelled disorder and underage drinking.

Following a crackdown in many town centres this summer, a further campaign in the December and January period promises to see a cut in alcohol-related violence.

The campaign will run from 15 December 2004 to 1 January 2005, with police forces in England and Wales being invited to take part.

The Minister praised the coordinated approach evident in the summer crackdown, during which the police and trading standards officers produced what she said were "highly impressive results".

Mrs Blears said: "The Summer blitz on binge drinking led by the police and other partners was a real success in raising awareness of the need to tackle alcohol-related violence and disorder. We know from this campaign that sustained enforcement activity succeeds in reducing the types of violent crime that cause serious injury and harm”.

She said that there had been a 9% fall in serious violent crime in the participating areas when compared with a 1% increase in the areas that did not take part.

Mrs Blears added: "Christmas is a time when people should be able to have a few drinks and enjoy themselves, but should not be an excuse for violent and anti-social behaviour by a minority, spoiling enjoyment for everyone else."

Mrs Blears was speaking today at a joint Home Office and Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) conference in London that examined the successes of the summer campaign and the lessons learned.

The audience included police, trading standards, local authority executives and representatives from the alcohol industry.

(SP)