Alcohol Concern have released a briefing for Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) candidates to help them form policies on alcohol-related issues in their election campaigns.
From November 2012 PCCs will be elected in each of the 41 police force area in England and Wales, and will be responsible for local police and crime plans as well as rewarding grants to organisations that reduce local crime. They have previously been highlighted as having an important role to play in alcohol-related crime and influencing wider alcohol issues and partnerships.
The briefing includes a summary of policy recommendations for PCC candidates including:
- Take an active role in licensing decisions
- Ensure tougher enforcement of alcohol free zones, under age sales, serving people when drunk
- Prioritise drink driving campaigns and clampdowns
- Use budgets to invest in alcohol treatment services and signpost offenders (e.g. cautioned) to alcohol treatment services
- Liaise effectively with A&E
- Campaign for minimum pricing
It also highlights the imapct of alcohol on crime, particualy violent crime and domestic violence.
A recent Drugscope briefing also assessed the role of PCCs for the field.
The Home Office has produced guidance to support interested parties. The Local Government Association (LGA) have also highlighted a list of useful publications relevant to the PCCs and local partnerships.
Comments