'Alcohol-related Offences Soar 33%' - Lib Dems

10.30.00am GMT Fri 7th Dec 2007

Levels in alcohol-related crime have risen by a third since the Licensing Act was introduced in 2005. Crimes influenced by drugs and alcohol are up by almost half, while alcohol-related theft has increased by 54%, figures obtained by the London Assembly Liberal Democrats show.

These figures add to statistics uncovered by the London Assembly Liberal Democrats last week that found alcohol-related A&E admissions to have risen by 56% in four years.

Commenting on the rise in alcohol-related crime, Liberal Democrat Policing spokesperson on the London Assembly Dee Doocey said:

"These new crime figures point to another example of a botched attempt to legislate over serious issues facing the capital.

"Alcohol-related crime is putting increasing pressure on police resources and the Licensing Act has done nothing to alleviate this pressure. It is especially worrying to see that violent crime is up 36% since 2005. This should act as a clear warning that action needs to be taken now.

"The Government must re-think their approach to tackling alcohol-related crime because it is clear that they are failing to reduce offences in London. As we uncovered last week, alcohol-related A&E admissions have risen by 16% since 2005. By rushing the implementation of the Licensing Act, the Government has failed to address alcohol problems in London."

ENDS

Note to Editors:

1. Please use the following link for complete raw data from the MET:

http://www.glalibdems.org.uk/resources/sites/217.160.173.25-3e54d44dcb2780.65885247/Policing%20London/Alcohol-related+crime+statistics.xls