Alcohol and crime: getting the facts.

Alcohol plays a key role in crimes such as public order offences, assault and murder, as well as rape and sexual assault1. This is in addition to offences that are obviously alcohol-related, such as driving under the influence of alcohol. The type and severity of alcohol-related offences are wide-ranging, from inconvenience and disturbance to violent assault and manslaughter. Harmful alcohol use is not simply a matter of individual responsibility. The impact of alcohol-related crime and anti-social behaviour has a ripple effect, extending beyond those directly affected to impact on the entire community, including our perceptions of safety and security