Pilot scheme helps to combat alcohol related crime in East Cheshire

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13 Feb 2012

Residents across East Cheshire involved in alcohol related crime have been discovering the shocking effects their behaviour has on their community in a pilot project to reduce offending.

Congleton Neighbourhood Policing Inspector Mark Gammage said:

We've had some really good feedback from those who have attended the ARC course. They liked that we didn't lecture them or talk down to them, and that what we were telling and showing them during the presentation gave them an insight into the affect their behaviour had on others.

In some cases they came away recognising that drink was a contributory factor to their behaviour and they should drink less on their nights out to avoid some of the shocking scenes and situations they could find themselves in.

The ARC initiative brings together the police, North West Ambulance Service, Cheshire Fire and Rescue, probation service, Cheshire East Council, the PCT, and alcohol support groups.

Anyone who comes to the attention of the police for alcohol related anti-social behaviour is, if appropriate, given the opportunity to attend a course presented by the agencies.

The course aims to educate them on the dangers of drink and the consequences of their drink related anti-social behaviour.

There are three ways to be eligible for the presentation, either by being given a notice for behaving badly in a public place while under the influence and being banned for 24 hours from the area; have spent night in the cells for being drunk and disorderly in a public place or by being referred by Pubwatch groups within Crewe, Nantwich and Congleton.

The pilot project was originally aimed at tackling the issue in Congleton

but has since spread across the eastern area.

We hope ARC will be another valuable tool which will help us prevent behaviour which can have serious consequences on the health and lives of the drinkers themselves and others.

This project and initiatives such as the Arc Angel protected town show that we have a zero tolerance approach to crime and anti-social behaviour committed while under the influence of drink.

By working with our partners we can reinforce the message that we are committed to doing everything we can to stop a problem which affects so many people.