Increase In Arrests Of 'Drunk And Disorderly' Women

The number of women arrested for being drunk and disorderly has increased significantly, a new police survey has revealed.

Figures - provided to Channel 4 News Online by 38 of the UK's 52 police forces - have shown that in some parts of the UK the number of women detained for the offence have risen by a staggering 50% - with 5,891 women arrested last year in comparison with 3,847 in 2003/04.

Arrests increased 12-fold in the West Midlands, from 59 in 2003/04 to 731 last year.

Also in Gwent, South Wales there was an increase from 29 and 190.

The police forces across the UK asked for details of the number of women arrested for being 'drunk and disorderly' - or the comparable crimes in Northern Ireland and Scotland.

Of those police forces who responded to the survey, 21 reported a like-for-like increase over a period of five years.

Chief Constable Mike Craik of Northumbria Police - where arrests of drunken women rose from 1,414 to 2,101 – said: "The reality is that clearly more still needs to be done, particularly about underage drinking and the associated youth disorder.

"That may well include rigorous action on the price of alcohol, a ban on advertising, increased education and advertising around the harm it can do, external regulation or even taking a uniquely harmful substance out of the normal retail chain.

"There should also be an end to discounted drinks, such as two-for-one deals, happy hours and supermarkets selling alcohol at below cost prices."

He also called on a ban of alcopops and alcohol advertising.

Chief Executive of Alcohol Concern, Don Shenker also commented: "There's no doubt that the number of women binge-drinking has gone up – they are following the example of young men.

"Pubs and bars are now targeting women with special offers and cheap drinks to encourage them to drink more. It should be stopped."

(JM)