Action to tackle drunken violence
CCTV in black cabs and action to stop strong drink being sold too cheaply are just two of the ideas in Notts' first-ever alcohol strategy.
Police and Crime Commissioner Paddy Tipping is drawing up the plan, claiming Notts needs to "get on with it" after not doing enough to cut violence and domestic abuse linked to drinking.
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The scheme will also be encouraging people not to get drunk before they head into town – known as "pre-loading".
The plan will say how police, health authorities, councils, pubs and clubs, shops and voluntary groups should work together to tackle binge drinking and alcoholism. Mr Tipping said: "We've done a lot on drugs in Notts, but have we done enough on alcohol?
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"No we haven't, and we ought to get on with it because there are links with alcohol, violence and domestic violence.
The Nottingham University Hospitals Trust, which runs the QMC and City Hospital, treats more than 1,500 people a year in accident and emergency departments or hospital for alcohol-related issues.
And the city's annual Local Alcohol Profile for 2012 showed drinking problems are cutting the life expectancy of the average Notts man by 11.4 months. Nottingham was rated as "significantly worse" than the national average for the impact alcohol has on its population in the same profile.
Mr Tipping said: "We need to do something around clubs and nightclubs – although they are not the main problem. We need to do something about pre-loading and supermarkets selling alcohol too cheaply.
"I go to the theatre in town and sometimes, when I'm coming out late at night, you are a bit cagey about what's going on."
Mark Holmes, a nurse at the Nottinghamshire Recovery Partnership, which specialises in treating people with alcohol problems said: "Alcohol touches all parts of the community. People can blame the city centre but there are things that happen in people's homes, like domestic violence, and one of the problems that causes it is drink."
Alan Ward is a deputy regional director for the Campaign for Real Ale and a member of the Nottingham branch of the group, whose work includes promoting responsible drinking in pubs.
He said: "I think we need a strategy, although there's usually not much trouble in real ale pubs. Pubs can stop serving people who are drunk."
More than 100 Christian volunteers act as street pastors in the city to help people who have had too much to drink.
Jo Cox-Brown, who founded the group in 2010 said: "Nottingham is a safe night out – it's just busy with up to 60,000 young people coming in on a Friday and Saturday. But it can be unpredictable."
Superintendent Linda McCarthy, head of operations for the city division said: "Notts Police are committed to ensuring people who visit the city feel safe. We're proud to have retained our Purple Flag for the third year running; proving our commitment to keeping Nottingham a place that people want to live in, work and visit."
Mr Tipping said he expected the alcohol strategy to be published in the summer and that there would be a full public consultation on it.
3 Comments
by smshogun
Sunday, March 03 2013, 4:40PM
“The only way to deal with this issue is a change of mindset, many claim this dates back to the restricted opening times of former years when limited opening times meant many drank quickly to consume their desired quantity of alcohol. While I see this theory has some merit it also appears to have transcended to todays youngsters if it is valid; lifestyle is another issue, particularly when they don't go out for a drink as they go out to get bladdered instead.
Raising the price is always the answer according to experts and Government's won't resist as this brings in more income, but fails to tackle the real issue; and once again it hits the decent majority without hitting those causing the problems. In addition, any price rise will just bring back the days of booze cruises and white van man going over the water and bringing cheap booze in, so more loss of revenue, and more pubs will close and more will be unemployed.”
by mof_gedling
Saturday, March 02 2013, 11:18AM
“Mr Tipping said: "We've done a lot on drugs in Notts"
I know a few snorts may keep one going for a bit longer and get more done but it is not big or clever and certainly not something to brag about, just try and say no.
As for more CCTV ? i read yesterday about a man who got stabbed near the Brian clough statue,he probably thought he was safe and secure due to CCTV in the area, we are already watched over by men and machines.”
by CALTHROSS
Saturday, March 02 2013, 9:31AM
“For many years it has been known that there are problems with drunken anti-social behaviour.
The authorities turned a blind eye to the problem of "binge drinking".
It has taken a very long time for the local and national governments to recognise this.
Why they need more consultation over this beggars belief.
It isn't as if they were not told or warned.
They just closed their eyes and ears to it all.
Perhaps they'll throw in a study for another 1oyrs just to make sure they got it right.
Talking of "pre-loading",this is carried out mainly by students and should be obvious to the authorities if they care to walk the streets at certain days/nights of the week.
Including you Mr Tipping.”