Treating the causes of alcohol related crime

Tower Hamlets Council and the police have teamed up to launch a new Alcohol Arrest Referral service for the borough today (Wednesday 1 July) which aims to tackles alcohol related crime at its roots.

The service means people, over the age of 18, arrested for alcohol related crimes will now get support and advice from an Alcohol Arrest Referral Worker.

Individuals arrested can volunteer to take advantage of the Alcohol Arrest Referral service by taking a test known as AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test).

The test will identify the risk level at which they are drinking alcohol. Detainees, whose alcohol consumption shows a high risk, will be referred to the Drugs and Alcohol Service for London, for further interventions.

The Tower Hamlets Alcohol Arrest Referral service will be based in Bethnal Green and Limehouse police stations operating between 7am – 10pm, seven days a week.

Cllr Abdal Ullah, Lead Member for Cleaner, Safer, Greener said: “We want to ensure residents can access help and support when it’s most needed and steer them away from crime. “

“There is evidence to show that a significant number of crimes in the borough are related to excessive drinking. The new Alcohol Arrest Referral service intends to treat the causes of these types of crime rather than the symptoms.”

If you need help and support for problems with alcohol please contact: Anwar Miah, Tower Hamlets Council on 020 7364 4459.