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'Sobriety tags' to be worn by offenders of alcohol-linked crime in pilot scheme 'Sobriety tags' to be worn by offenders of alcohol-linked crime in pilot scheme
(about 2 hours later)
People who repeatedly commit alcohol-related crime will be forced to wear ankle tags that monitor if they are still drinking, under a year-long pilot scheme. People who repeatedly commit alcohol-related crime will be forced to wear ankle tags that monitor whether they are still drinking, under a year-long pilot scheme.
The "sobriety tags", to be worn around the clock, will enforce abstinence by measuring a person's perspiration every 30 minutes and testing to see if it contains alcohol. The "sobriety tags", to be worn around the clock, will enforce abstinence by measuring a person's perspiration every 30 minutes and testing whether it contains alcohol.
If any trace is found, an alert will be sent to the offender's probation officer and they can then be recalled to court, where they may be resentenced or face sanctions such as a fine. If any trace is found, an alert will be sent to the offender's probation officer and they can then be recalled to court, where they may be resentenced or face sanctions such as a fine. The tags register alcohol consumption but do not monitor movement or where people are.
The tags register alcohol consumption but do not monitor movement or where people are. The scheme is being trialled for 12 months in four London boroughs – Croydon, Lambeth, Southwark and Sutton. It is anticipated that up to 150 offenders will be fitted with the tags. They will be banned from drinking alcohol for up to 120 days.
The scheme is being trialled for 12 months in four London boroughs – Croydon, Lambeth, Southwark and Sutton.
It is anticipated that up to 150 offenders will be fitted with the tags. They will be banned from drinking alcohol for up to 120 days, and the tag will test them to see if they flout the ban.
Offenders will be screened before being tagged, and the scheme will not be used on people who are alcohol-dependent and require specialist support.Offenders will be screened before being tagged, and the scheme will not be used on people who are alcohol-dependent and require specialist support.
The scheme, being introduced by the mayor of London, Boris Johnson, builds on a similar scheme in the US and aims to reduce alcohol-related reoffending, ease pressure on the police and courts, and make streets safer. The scheme, being introduced by the mayor of London, Boris Johnson, builds on a similar scheme in the US and aims to reduce alcohol-related reoffending and ease pressure on the police and courts.
Alcohol-related crime is estimated to cost the UK between £8bn and £13bn every year, while 40% of accident and emergency attendances are linked to alcohol misuse. Alcohol-related crime is estimated to cost the UK between £8bn and £13bn a year, while 40% of accident and emergency attendances are linked to alcohol misuse.
Johnson said: "'Alcohol-fuelled criminal behaviour is a real scourge on our high streets, deterring law-abiding citizens from enjoying our great city, especially at night, placing massive strain on frontline services, whilst costing businesses and the taxpayer billions of pounds.Johnson said: "'Alcohol-fuelled criminal behaviour is a real scourge on our high streets, deterring law-abiding citizens from enjoying our great city, especially at night, placing massive strain on frontline services, whilst costing businesses and the taxpayer billions of pounds.
"I pledged to tackle this booze culture by making the case to government for new powers to allow mandatory alcohol testing as an additional enforcement option for the courts. "I pledged to tackle this booze culture by making the case to government for new powers to allow mandatory alcohol testing as an additional enforcement option for the courts. This is an approach that has seen impressive results in the US, steering binge drinkers away from repeated criminal behaviour, and I am pleased we can now launch a pilot scheme in London."
"This is an approach that has seen impressive results in the US, steering binge drinkers away from repeated criminal behaviour, and I am pleased we can now launch a pilot scheme in London."