Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner, Martyn Underhill is in London today (16 March), lobbying MPs and peers on the importance of tackling alcohol related harm.
Martyn along with nine other PCCs from across the Country who form the National PCC group on alcohol harm, hope to raise awareness of the issue and discuss how PCCs and Parliamentarians can work together to make more progress.
Joining the group will be colleagues from the National Police Chiefs Council, the Local Government Association and the Home Office. The group’s focus is on reducing the harm and cost to society of alcohol misuse by changing attitudes, deterring offenders and tackling irresponsible supply.
Martyn will address the group, raising issues around building safer, stronger partnerships to tackle alcohol harm and the role the industry can play. He will also be exploring the challenges facing local partnerships including the sustainability of services and the current complex setting around street drinking, alcohol and domestic abuse and the influencing factors of mental health.
Other topics which are to be discussed include:
· Reductions in levels of alcohol related harm, in particular violent crime;
· Vibrant, popular and safe night-time economies which everyone can enjoy;
· A clear legislative framework which promotes responsible licensing and provides effective tools to address local problems;
· Reducing the pressure on policing, healthcare and other partners through excessive and irresponsible drinking.
Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner, Martyn Underhill said: “Alcohol has a massive impact on our community and the related crime and disorder is estimated to cost our society over £21 billion nationally every year.
This work is about partners and the industry working together to ensure people can enjoy themselves in a safe and controlled environment. It’s also about people taking their own responsibility for their drinking, and today will explore options and best practice to move the debate forward.”