Alcohol fuels 210 crimes every day

MORE THAN 210 alcohol-related crimes have been committed, on average, every day between February 2002 and August 2003, according to garda statistics.

A total of 118,000 offences were detected within that 18-month period by gardaí under Operation Encounter. However, the trend is downwards with almost 20% fewer offences between February and August 2003, compared with the same period in 2002.

"The number of overall offences is colossal, but the reduction is welcome. Operation Encounter is taking effect," said garda spokesman Superintendent John Farrelly. "But the reduction is from a very, very high level. There's still a huge amount of public disorder out there."

The figures show there were 13,200 assaults in the 18-month period, 24 a day on average. This included almost 4,300 serious assaults.

Operation Encounter was set up in February 2002 amid outrage at the level of alcohol-fuelled violence on the streets late at night. The operation targeted pubs, nightclubs and fast-food outlets across the country. In the 18 months since it began, gardaí have detected:

l48,719 cases of drunkenness in a public place.

l31,971 incidents of threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour.

l14,235 cases of failing to comply with a garda direction.

l6,941 incidents of disorderly conduct.

l1,792 cases of underage drinking.

l651 outlets caught selling alcohol to underage people.

l8,906 cases of assault.

l4,105 cases of assault causing harm.

l192 cases of assault causing serious harm.

Rolande Anderson, alcohol project director with the Irish College of General Practitioners, welcomed the reduction in offences. "I'd like to think this is an improvement, but this is a long-term battle. It's going to take years and years, but at least we're addressing the issue," he said. He described the level and style of alcohol consumption, particularly among young people, as a massive problem.

Superintendent Farrelly said legislation introduced last summer, such as the Intoxicating Liquor Act and the Public Order Act, were designed to reduce alcohol-related offences.