What do you lose if you have too much booze?
Basingstoke revellers encouraged to ‘Drink Safe’ as alcohol-related crime crackdown is launched
Police and partner agencies in Basingstoke are getting tough on irresponsible drinkers as part of an operation to cut alcohol-fuelled violent crime in the town’s entertainment areas.
“What do you lose if you have too much booze?” is the question being posed by officers in the hope of reminding revellers to consider the consequences of having too much to drink.
People are being reminded that it’s not just your bank cards, phone and keys you run the risk of losing if you have too much to drink.
There are all sorts of other consequences – you lose your inhibitions which could lead to you losing your dignity and self-respect. You could lose your temper which could lead to you being involved in an incident and then you could lose your freedom (if you are arrested and kept overnight in a cell). You could also lost your driving licence if you drive when over the limit.
Operation Drink Safe has been launched to target people who are drinking excessively in the town centre and then becoming involved in violent incidents. It will run as a new initiative for town centre policing.
While overall crime in the borough continues to fall, violent crime remains a key target for improvement because of its impact on innocent people.
The busy town centre is often the top location for incidents of this nature and more often than not, the incidents are linked to people consuming too much alcohol and or drugs. By their nature, these incidents also put pressure on the local hospital’s Accident and Emergency Department and take up valuable policing time and resources.
The Drink Safe initiative aims to tackle these numbers through tough, intensive and ongoing police operations throughout the coming months as well as education of regular drinkers to change people’s attitudes towards excessive drinking habits in the town centre.
Basingstoke and Deane District Commander, Chief Inspector Andy Bottomley, said: "We've been working hard to reduce violent crime in the borough over the last year and now we're determined to bring it down even further through this operation.
"This is a significant operation that will run for many months as we target alcohol related violent crime. We'll be using a whole raft of different tactics to police the night-time entertainment areas and create an environment that is safe and welcoming for those who want to enjoy themselves responsibly, but tactics that are hostile to drunks and trouble makers.”
Chairman of the Community Safety Partnership Cllr Clive Sanders said: “This is a problem that has to be tackled on a community basis. Excessive intake of alcohol results not just in crime on the streets but is often the cause of domestic violence at home. I expect everyone to become involved in stamping out drink-fuelled violence, not just the police and the council. Pubs, nightclubs, retailers, parents and residents in general all have a role to play as well.
"We know most people want to go out and have a good time without seeing any trouble and the police and the council will be taking a tough stance to ensure Basingstoke remains a great place for a safe night out.”
Chief Inspector Bottomley added: “It’s quite simple, the more alcohol you drink the more likely you are to become a victim of crime, and if you drink irresponsibly and are involved in violent or anti-social behaviour, you could well end up being arrested. Any business selling alcohol illegally or failing to act responsibly will also suffer the consequences.”
