VIOLENT CRIME: THE ROLE OF ALCOHOL AND NEW APPROACHES TO THE PREVENTION OF INJURY

Almost all evidence of a link between alcohol consumption andviolence is available only in the form of aggregate data. Thisis unsatisfactory and case-control investigations and studieswhich relate injury severity to blood alcohol levels are needed.In the few closely controlled studies which have been performed,increased risk of injury in assault has been linked with bingeconsumption of more than about 8 units, and above average weeklyconsumption only in those over 25 years. Raising the minimumpurchasing age for alcohol to 21 years, learning to drink responsiblywith parents, especially fathers, and the adoption of temperedglassware are all achievable objectives which would reducedalcohol-related injury. The use of sobriety-checkpoints (breathtesting though not by the police) and other situational preventionprogrammes need to be evaluated in relation to reducing injurysustained in violet crime. Proactive, community policing hasbeen shown to reduce levels of alcohol-related violent crime,in contrast to more reactive, defensive and confrontationalpolicing. The concept of ‘capable guardianship’to establish and maintain social control of young delinquentsneeds to be extended, particularly near known foci of violencesuch as bars and adjacent fast-food outlets and taxi-ranks.