Information for licensees about selling alcohol responsibly.
We encourage licensed premises to promote responsible drinking, to help protect people's safety and reduce crime and disorder.
Why Do We Need to Promote Responsible Drinking?
The importance of trying to reduce the binge drinking culture among a significant and increasing minority, and encourage a relaxed, civilised approach to drinking, is shown by these facts about alcohol in the UK:
44% of violent crime is alcohol related
Experience shows that in the majority of cases, serious public place disorder and violent crime is induced by alcohol or drugs
Getting drunk impairs people's judgement and can increase risky behaviour
A third of all violence between strangers takes place in and around clubs and pubs
The vast majority of people arrested for assault and nearly two thirds of those arrested for public order offences have been drinking heavily
Women are at particular risk, and are especially vulnerable to irresponsible "girls drink free night" style promotions
Police figures show almost a third of rapes and serious sexual assaults on women are linked to alcohol
Drink problems are involved in around half of all child protection cases
Over 70% of admissions to hospital Accident and Emergency units at weekends are for injuries related to binge drinking
