Alcohol Related Violence

Alcohol misuse is closely linked with a wide range of crimes, disorders and anti-social behaviours. Almost half of violent crime is alcohol related. By adopting a responsible approach to licensing together with our partners, we aim to:

• reduce incidents of crime, disorder and anti social behaviour connected with licensed premises, by implementing crime prevention measures that are relevant, necessary and proportionate;


• rigorously enforce age and other restrictions on the sale and consumption of alcohol, including the duty on licensed premises not to serve those who are drunk;


• work with vulnerable groups to identify and tackle the underlying causes of their behaviour so that they can be diverted away from alcohol related violence;


• target alcohol crime hotspots and take enforcement action against irresponsible drinkers and premises by using powers given by legislation and closing premises where necessary;


• consult with other agencies and produce evidence in licensing proceedings where there are serious concerns about the impact on crime and disorder and oppose licences where necessary;


• work with local authorities to ensure that they avoid high densities of licensed premises;


• proactively visit licensed premises, in partnership with local authority enforcement officers, to provide high visibility public reassurance and a co-ordinated and robust approach to licensing issues;


• consider proposals from promoters and licensed operators to hold events that may impact on public safety or police resources and risk assess these where necessary;


• encourage the drinks industry to inform the public of the dangers of excessive drinking, contribute to the cost of tackling local problems and not engage in irresponsible promotions; and


• influence the operating schedules of premises to ensure there are adequate crime prevention measures to reduce incidents of crime, disorder and anti social behaviour associated with them.

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If you have a query about this policy, please telephone 101 and ask for the Head of Local Policing.

Alternatively, you may write to West Yorkshire Police Headquarters, PO Box 9, Laburnum Road, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF1 3QP, England.