Henry Smith MP has today welcomed a recommendation from Crawley and Gatwick Business Watch with the aim of helping local businesses reduce alcohol fuelled crime.
Commenting on their proposal, Henry said:
“As a proud patron of the Crawley and Gatwick Business Watch, I’m delighted by news that the organisation is attempting to address the troubling association between the sale of high strength beers & ciders and anti-social behaviour in our town. As such, the Group is in the process of setting up a pilot scheme with members to significantly reduce alcohol fuelled crime.
“The Business Watch group are recommending that every beer or cider over six percent volume should hold a mandatory sticker detailing the point of sale in the event of the product being found on an individual involved in anti-social behaviour. Contact details of those wanting to seek help over alcohol consumption concerns would also be detailed.
“I’ve written to the responsible Government ministers in support of these recommendations and hope to explore further such schemes to reduce the link between anti-social behaviour and the sale of alcohol without penalising the majority responsible drinkers.”
It is estimated that the annual cost to the country through directly associated illness, crime, disorder and health treatment arising from excessive drinking is £21 billion. Measures being put forward by the Government are at reversing the worrying trend in alcohol abuse; with an estimated 50,000 fewer crimes each year and 9000 fewer alcohol related deaths per year by the end of the decade.
Henry added:
“The Government’s national strategy, in collaboration with localised partnerships such as Crawley & Gatwick Business Watch, will ensure that a strong set of measures are developed that will clamp down on binge drinking and provide greater support and advice to help people maintain a healthier lifestyle.”