Alcohol Policy UK

Joseph Rowntree Foundation announce calls for proposals on 'Multiple Exclusion Homelessness'

A collaboration of key agencies have announced a 680K call for proposals to 'ensure that policy and practice responses to multiple exclusion homelessness are better informed by robust evidence.'

The Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC) have joined up with the Joespeh Rowntree Foundation, the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG), and voluntary sector agencies such as Homeless Link to invite for proposals.

The specific objectives of the research have been announced as:

• to develop a scientifically rigorous account of the relationship between homelessness and other dimensions of 'deep' social exclusion;
• to attain a theoretically-informed understanding of the causes of multiple exclusion homelessness; and
• to shift thinking on multiple exclusion homelessness away from ‘a priori’ organisational categorisations, towards inductive analyses which start from the perspectives of people with relevant first-hand experience.

The deadline for receipt of applications is 4pm on 7 August 2008 though a launch event will be taking place on the 25th of June.

For more information or to book a place on the launch event see here

New London Mayor bans alcohol on public transport

Boris Johnson, the new mayor for London has banned alcohol on public transport as his first policy announcement since coming into power. The 'ban' will take effect from June the 1st 2008.  The move has caused a number of concerns about how it will be enforced, particularly as the only punishment will be ejection from the transport. 

The new rules on drinking on London's transport will be made by changing London Transport's conditions of carriage, since bringing in the byelaw necessary for legal action such as on the spot fines is expected to take a year. In an article in the Guardian, the British Transport Police are reported to have backed the move although organisations such as transport unions have opposed the move.

Home Office announces 44,000 pints seized from underage drinkers

A Home Office Press release announces the results of a recent clampdown on underage public drinking. MP Vernon Coaker announced that over 20,000 litres of alcohol had been taken in the recent half term campaign involving 39 police forces. The following findings were posted:

• 25 per cent of the 5,143 youngsters who surrendered alcohol to the police said they were aged 15 or under
• a total of 23,621 youngsters came into contact with the police when alcohol was confiscated
• 3,585 directions to leave were issued
• of the 30 per cent who divulged where they had sourced their alcohol, half said they had bought it from a shop.

Mr Coaker commented:

'I know the public will welcome police action to disperse groups of threatening youths and choke their supply of alcohol. This campaign will not be the last.       

I also want to remind parents of their responsibility and where poor parenting is identified as an issue I want to see greater use of parenting contracts to tackle persistent underage drinking.  I also want to see greater sharing of information between police and local agencies about repeat offenders to address problems as early as possible.       

'Police officers tell me that these campaigns yield valuable intelligence about where children get their alcohol. With this in mind, I want to send a strong signal once again to those persistent few irresponsible retailers that deliberately sell to under-18s. They will be caught and they will be punished. I also want to congratulate all the officers involved in what was clearly a successful campaign for their hard work and dedication.'

An article in the Guardian on the campaign said that 'the initiative was a response to growing concerns about a perceived binge drinking culture in Britain, particularly among youths.'

Street drinking ban for under 18s

Police are to get new powers to confiscate alcohol from under-18s who drink in public, the government says. Currently police can seize alcohol only from groups suspected of alcohol-related crime or disorder. And although under-18s are not allowed to buy alcohol, there is no law preventing them from drinking it. The proposed ban, which will mean youngsters can legally drink only at home, will be announced by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith this week.  BBC News

British Beer and Pub Association director of communications Mark Hastings has pointed out that police already have the power to confiscate alcohol under the Confiscation of Alcohol (Young Persons) Act 1997.

"Under this Act the police have the power to seize alcohol from anyone under the age of 18 and to arrest anyone who fails to comply with the order to surrender alcohol," he said.

"The Act also empowers seizure of alcohol from persons over the age of 18 if it is believed they intend to supply it to someone under 18.

"This Act was extended under the Licensing Act 2003 to include unopened alcohol – specifically where it was considered that there was an intent to consume and that anti-social behaviour could result from that consumption. Once again, we don’t need new laws, we just need the enforcement of existing laws."  Morning Advertiser

London network on street populations from the new EU accession states

James Morris wishes to contact practitioners with an interest in A8/A10 street population issues within London. He writes: some of you I have had contact with already as we are currently halfway through a 6 month pilot in Hammersmith and Fulham (H&F) in which we are working with the Barka foundation (a Polish social inclusion charity) and the Broadway centre. The pilot is a 6 month project that offers reconnection and further support to A8s on the streets of H&F who are vulnerable but not entitled to the support or services in H&F that Barka can offer.  See previous post for details.

I am proposing a network for London so that we can share information, ideas and any good practice relating to A8 street populations. Additionally, current evaluation of the Barka pilot highlights that whilst positive results are being achieved, longer term this project should not operate in isolation as this would potentially create a magnet effect to the borough and therefore a pan-London response could be a more effective approach. A number of authorities have already taken some moves to develop similar work with Barka and it is also within the recommendations of the recently released report 'Beyond Boundaries' to work towards  "...the development of a Europe wide 'Reconnections' programme.  Thereby engaging with migrants and encouraging the most vulnerable to return home to resolve problems in the area where they have greatest social capital." 

Therefore I am inviting you to be part of this network and for any comments or suggestions. I am also proposing a meeting for those interested in working on a pan-London response so once I have an indication of interest I will send out further details.

Contact details: James.Morris@lbhf.gov.uk

The Barka pilot project in Hammersmith and Fulham: a model for working with Polish street drinkers

In May 2004 A8  countries gained accession status with no restriction of the free movement of workers to the UK. Following this, numbers of migrant workers entering the UK far exceeded government estimates. Although the vast majority have successfully found employment and housing, an increasing number of authorities are becoming aware of migrant workers from A8 countries who have not successfully found employment and are engaging in street population activities including street drinking, rough sleeping, begging and associated Anti Social Behaviour (ASB) and low level crime. These individuals, like existing street populations, are vulnerable to a range of threats including ill health, exploitation, crime and often have histories of alcohol problems, homelessness or mental health issues.

The conditions of accession for such migrants into the UK means that those who have not gained full entitlement through registering on the Workers Registration Scheme (WRS) and being in employment for a period of one year, do not have recourse to public funds, services or interventions that non-A8 street populations have. Although there is no definitive guidance on many areas such as healthcare, generally accessional migrants cannot receive support beyond primary medical care and cannot receive any housing benefits or rehabilitation treatment. This leaves local authorities experiencing problems with accessional migrant street populations very limited options in terms of addressing the needs of such individuals and the issues they present.

• The Barka pilot project in Hammersmith and Fulham: A summary by H&F's Alcohol Strategy Development Officer, James Morris, gives results of the first month of an innovative partnership between H&F, Broadway and the Barka Foundation that works with street homeless Polish migrant workers through reconnecting them with treatment and/or their families in their home country.  A full 6 month evaluation will be produced in November assessing the successes and challenges to the pilot and the potential for developing the pilot regionally.

 

• See also the NTA-commissioned report from the University of Hertfordshire - Beyond Boundaries: Offering substance misuse services to new migrants in London  The report, published last month, "represents the first detailed examination there has been into the use of drug treatment services by newly arrived populations."  Although focussed on illicit drugs, it talks about alcohol as a possible gateway drug for A8 migrants, and also recommends that government should

"work towards the development of a Europe wide ‘Reconnections’ programme.   Thereby engaging with migrants and encouraging the most vulnerable to return home to resolve problems in the area where they have greatest social capital"

Alcohol in the news 13.4.07: Man U fans asked to curb drinking in Milan; Swindon dispersal order

• UEFA has asked Manchester United to warn travelling supporters to cut down on their drinking ahead of the Champions League semi-final trip to face AC Milan next month.  UEFA spokesman William Gaillard said "If everyone behaves in a proper way, we should have a smooth sailing but Manchester United has to brief its fans and tell them what is appropriate. There has been a problem with drink and it would be nice if the supporters were advised not to do it. I realise this is a difficult thing but people are putting themselves at risk because they stop behaving in a rational way. UEFA are still investigating what happened in Rome, so we have to be careful, but there is shared responsibility for most situations, even if there is not equal responsibility." The Scotsman

• Swindon: Police say a dispersal order covering the town centre has helped prevent hundreds of people getting into serious trouble. The order, which has been renewed for a further six months this week, gives police the power to tell groups of two or more people causing problems to go home. Anyone who ignores the order can be arrested. Town centre beat manager Andy Alexander says the order has been a massive boost to officers policing the area on weekends. Another dispersal order, which covers the bus station and is aimed at the homeless drunks who gather there, has also just been renewed for a further six months.

Cheri Wright, the council's antisocial behaviour coordinator, said: "The dispersal order in the town centre is a pivotal part of the way in which the night time economy is policed in the town centre as police can proactively tackle some of the groups congregating before problems ensue. "The order at the bus station targets some of the problems with street drinkers and this gives the police the ability to move them on and deal with them effectively."  Swindon Advertiser

tackling street drinking - alcoholpolicy.net and LDAN workshop 15th May

alcoholpolicy.net and LDAN alcohol strategy action planning workshops
workshop 2: tackling street drinking – DPPOs, wet centres and other likely stories Tuesday 15th May, 2 to 4.30pm, London E2

The workshop will explore current problems and solutions associated with street drinking, including sessions on:

• street drinking in London today: population profiles, policy context, implications for ASB and treatment
• evidence for what works
• overview of current solutions in London – has anyone cracked it?
• key players to engage
• action planning

Speakers will share experiences of DPPOs, dispersal orders, outreach, treatment, ASBOs, environmental schemes and other initiatives.  This workshop is the second in a series of six practical workshops to bring you up to speed with the latest stuff, and help you make progress on alcohol.

aim: to drive local action on alcohol through practical guidance target audience: local alcohol champions (we mean anyone who wants to get things moving on alcohol)

why attend: these workshops will change your (working) life.  Action on alcohol has been bogged down in talking endlessly about all too familiar problems, and waiting for funding.  There is important work we can be doing now, with existing resources.  Come and get started.

about us: alcoholpolicy.net is behind the website and podcast for the alcohol harm reduction field.  We are an informal network of consultants, researchers and practitioners, keen to share our learning and ideas. Our motto: nonus reinventare wheela.  LDAN is the London Drug and Alcohol Network – developing substance misuse policy and supporting the capital’s treatment sector

other info: the workshops are free.  Materials and audio from the workshops will also be freely available on www.alcoholpolicy.net

to book contact Jim Bishop  020 7704 0004

Drink driving in Dumfries & Galloway; new powers to seize sealed alcohol containers in Southampton

• Dumfries and Galloway Police have hit out at motorists over their "disregard" for the dangers of drink-driving. After its festive campaign, the force warned that it would continue to target the issue. A spokesman said the warning had fallen on "deaf ears" as 30 people were caught drinking and driving in January - up from 21 in the same month a year ago. Sgt Scott McLachlan urged motorists to "wake up" and recognise their responsibility to drive safely. He said it was disappointing to see drivers ignoring police advice. BBC News

• Police and council patrols in Southampton have been given extra powers to seize alcohol from street drinkers.  They will have discretion to confiscate both open and sealed drinks.  Police will be able to arrest those who refuse to hand over alcohol, while council and community support officers can request personal details.

The city council's licensing panel has agreed to extend a 2004 order which covers open drinks in the city centre's streets and parks.  Police and council officers already have powers to seize alcohol from under-age drinkers under separate legislation.  However, youths will no longer be able to hand sealed drinks to those older than 18 to avoid them being seized. It takes effect from May. 

A council survey found it had the backing of an overwhelming majority of clubs, pubs, hotels and other off-licences. Only the city mosque responded from 22 faith groups quizzed.  Southampton City Council antisocial behaviour manager, Derek Stevens, said the extension had been a success in other authorities such as Brighton, Westminster and Portsmouth.  This is Hampshire

Alcohol in the news 8/12/06

• Boozers caught drinking on the streets of Blackpool could find themselves barred from off-licences across the town.  It comes as part of a new scheme aimed at getting off-licence bosses to work together to help police stamp out drinking on the streets.  Under the Off-Licence Forum, launched on Wednesday, shop owners and managers selling booze are being encouraged not to serve known street drinkers.  As part of the initiative, the first in the UK, the business people have already been handed pictures of 12 serial boozers police are aiming to get off the streets and have agreed to attend monthly update meetings.  In the coming months the 12 off-licences signed up to the scheme could also be linked up to the town link system to alert each other and police of the nuisance customers.  Police community support officer, Peter Rae, said: "We're delighted with the response we've had, the 12 stores we've contacted have been as keen as mustard to get involved."  This is Lancashire

• Convictions are less likely in rape cases involving alcohol despite recent legislation designed to the contrary, new research contends.  Ahead of the Christmas party season, researchers from King's College London say that juries are more lenient towards defendants in rape cases involving alcohol because it is easier to prove consent was given.  In a move to make defendants more accountable the 2003 Sexual Offences Act resulted in the prosecution needing to prove the defendant lacked reasonable belief that consent had been given, rather than the previous wording of 'honestly believing he had received consent'.  But test juries in simulated trials involved in today's study said that it was reasonable for a man to deem silence as consent, even if this silence was a result of alcohol intoxication.  Other findings of the research commissioned by the Economic and Social Research Council are that women are still deemed partially responsible even if they are rendered involuntarily drunk by accepting alcohol, while the prosecution must also prove that defendants specifically intended to rape someone by spiking their drinks.   inthenews.co.uk

• Shepherd Neame chief executive Jonathan Neame has called for better regulations and a code of conduct to end "idiotic" supermarket drink promotions.  Speaking at the Community Pubs Inquiry, Neame said: "I find it surprising - and many in the trade find it galling - that the pub trade has come forward a quantum leap in recent years and you will never see an advert in a local paper which says come to my pub and get two drinks for the price of one but every day you see supermarket ads saying exactly that.  Surely they have to have a code of conduct that is commensurate with the on-trade.  The mindset of today's youth is you do not go to the pub if you want to get blattered - you go to the off-trade.   Morning Advertiser

• Takeaways could be forced to supply and empty bins outside their premises under new rubbish controls. Promotional flyers which end up littering the streets of the borough's towns and beaches are also being targeted under proposals by West Norfolk Council – which is considering charging individuals and companies for permission to distribute them.  Under powers given to them by the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005, the authority is considering implementing Street Litter Control Notices on takeaway shop owners and Controls on the Distribution of Free Printed Material, to cover the main commercial areas of Lynn, Downham, Hunstanton and Hunstanton promenade.  Traders, parish and town councils, ward members and bodies representing commercial and tourism interests will be consulted on the new powers, which, if exercised, are expected to come into force by the end of March. Kings Lynn Today

• Hundreds of pupils in the East Midlands have been suspended or expelled from school because of drink or drugs, the BBC has learned.  Figures obtained using the Freedom of Information Act showed 775 pupils were excluded for drink or drugs in the year 2005/06, with 48 permanent exclusions.  The punishments were for those caught with or selling drugs or alcohol.BBC News