On tap

The last blog discussed the effects of considerable drinking from a very young age, and possible causes.

The present drinking binge mat have a further set of consequences. Alcohol is not only cheaply and readily available, but it is available right through the night.

There has been a rise in consumption of alcohol, to the extent that the UK now buys more units each year than France does, in fact 33% more. Germany still buys 50% more than us, but their consumption has been falling since at least 1999, while ours has been rising. Our deaths from alcohol have doubled since 1991

Hopes that liberalising the sale of alcohol, thus creating a "relaxed Mediterranean cafe culture" have not so far been realised.

Drinking still seems to be an evening thing, the street in central Oxford now known as "Vomit Alley", is usually living up to its name by 11 p.m.

The Police also report, however, that offences of assault, criminal damage and harassment between 3 a.m and 6 a.m. have risen by 22% since 24 hour drinking was introduced, though the rates at other times during the day were slightly down. In the middle of the night the incidences of violence rose by 5% in the first year.

One intention of the legislation was to smooth out the peak problems of drunkenness at pub closure at 11 p.m. There may be a slight improvement at this time, but if so it has merely pushed much of the problem further into the night. Over the time period 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. there has been a 1% rise in drink related crime in 30 police forces surveyed.

Crime survey figures, which the Government likes to rely on, indicates a rise of about 6% in violent attacks since liberalisation. Prior to liberalisation the trend had been one of decrease.

In the year following liberalisation the number of deaths attributable to driving while under the influence of drink or drugs reached its highest level for 30 years.

Most of the statistics were presented during 2007, and relate to the first year of operation, - December 2005 to November 2006. It is possible that in time the situation may stablise and trends begin to become downward once again.

For the moment police forces, struggling with limited resources and other commitments, are having to divert resources from daytime to nighttime deployment, which is not a desirable situation for them or the community.