Alcohol related violent crime

Report: 8
Date: 17 March 2005
By: Commissioner

Summary

The purpose of this report is to provide a summary of the latest performance figures on alcohol related violent crime. It includes an assessment of the changes in offence levels due to amendments to the licensing laws, and highlights measures implemented by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) in order to address violent crime where alcohol is a key constituent.

Data referred to in the document is for the financial year, April 2004 to January 2005, unless otherwise stated.

A. Recommendations

That the report be noted.

B. Supporting information

Background

1. Violent crime (defined as robbery, sexual offences and violence against the person) accounts for almost one quarter of all recorded notifiable offences and is rising. This is partly because more victims are reporting these types of offences, but mainly because the MPS is doing more to tackle the problem and this too is reflected in the total.

2. Over 250,000 violent offences were recorded by the MPS in 2004. Violence covers a wide range of offences from homicide to harassment and disorder. Most offences are reported as violence against the person, which accounts for around 200,000 offences.

3. The latest British Crime Survey estimates that 47 percent of victims of violence believe alcohol played a part in their crime. Government deregulation of licensing legislation comes at a time when the retail cost of alcohol has never been more affordable [1] and London’s night time economy has never been more vibrant. This poses particular problems of crime and disorder management for the police and their partners, especially in areas with a high density of licensed premises.

Alcohol Related Crime in London

4. Exhibit 1 below shows that Violence against the person has increased by 10 percent over the last year. Alcohol is responsible for 84 percent of the increase or 15,200 additional offences. Additional police effort in tackling alcohol related crimes (counted as police reported crime – Fixed penalty notices for drunkenness and disorder), is responsible for 50 percent of increase or additional 9,100 (top slice of chart below). Victim reported alcohol related crime is responsible for 30 percent of the increase or additional 6,000, split equally between domestic and non domestic violence. Non alcohol related crime is responsible for the remaining 16 percent or 2,900 offences.

Exhibit 1: Trends in violence against the person 2003-2004

VAP increased by 10 percent overall, over 80% of the increase due to alcohol related incidents

5. Furthermore, alcohol related assaults on police have risen by more than one hundred and fifty per cent over the last three years. In 2004 there were 959 alcohol related assaults on police, just over one quarter of all assaults on police.

6. Exhibit 2 shows how VAP offences involving alcohol (excluding domestic violence and police reported violence) has spread during the period 2000 to 2004. Previously six Boroughs where experiencing problems, while in 2004 the problem has spread to fifteen Boroughs.

MPS Response to Alcohol Related Violence

7. Operation Optic was launched by the MPS in June 2004 to combat alcohol related violent crime. In force across 14 boroughs and operating from Thursdays to Sundays every weekend, Optic aims to address the problems of alcohol retailers flouting the rules, and to reduce alcohol related violent crime and anti-social behaviour.

8. Exhibit 3 shows the relative changes in various incidents and offences prior to, and since the introduction of Operation Optic. The effects of Optic are clear: police reported violent crime has risen significantly as a result of police being present, and visible at the scene of most incidents of drunken behaviour. In addition, levels of reporting of violence involving alcohol have increased since its inception, again a consequence of heightened police readiness at alcohol related crime hotspots.

9. While recording of some types of violent crime has increased as a result of Operation Optic, it is clear that increased police visibility is reducing the numbers of fights involving groups (recorded as violent disorder and affray). However, it is not acting as a deterrent to other types of VAP offences involving alcohol, not taking place in a domestic setting.

C. Race and equality impact

Implications of performance against individual targets are considered in in-depth performance reports throughout the year. This report notes exceptions in strategic disproportional indicators where applicable.

D. Financial implications

The content of this report raises no additional financial implications beyond forecasts and estimates previously presented to the authority in performance reports.

E. Background papers

• None

F. Contact details

Report authors: Lawrence Morris, James Bennett and Graham Keeling, Corporate Performance Group.

For more information contact:

MPA general: 020 7202 0202
Media enquiries: 020 7202 0217/18

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