Steve O’Connell demands Government support for scheme to tackle alcohol-related crimes

Croydon and Sutton’s London Assembly member, Steve O’Connell has called on the Government to back the Mayor’s radical plan to cut alcohol-related crime in London.

The Mayor’s idea would see those convicted of drink-related offences reporting twice-daily, possibly a police station, where they would take a breath test; if the test result is negative they keep their freedom, if it shows up positive they go to prison.

In the US state of South Dakota, where this scheme was developed, it has seen compliance rates of over 99% and a 14% drop in the prison population.

Calling on the Ministry of Justice to back the Mayor’s call to introduce such a scheme in London, Mr O’Connell said:

“This scheme has shown extremely positive results in the United States and I strongly support its introduction here.

“The Home Office estimates that alcohol-related crime costs us between £8bn and £13. Drink-related crime is higher in London than anywhere else in England. Nearly two thirds of weekend 999 calls are alcohol-related; and drink-related admissions cost the NHS £90,000 per day.

“These are all utterly shocking statistics that I believe the public will be appalled to read. Clearly this situation cannon be allowed to continue. The Mayor is proposing a radical solution and I believe he should be given the right to go ahead and try to solve this very serious problem which, in one way or another, blights all our lives.”

Under this scheme, those reporting to be breathalysed would be charged £1 per appointment.