Alcohol and crime
A l c o h o l - related crime includes not only offences that are alcohol-specific such as drunk and
d i s o rderly or offences against the licensing laws but covers a continuum of offences which
involve alcohol to a greater or lesser degree. Alcohol can be a disinhibitor, can be used as
an excuse, or can result in crime because the individual has a drinking problem. Although
alcohol can cause crime, usually it is no more than associated with offending.
D runkenness as a crime appears to cross all age boundaries but is associated mainly with the
young, particularly young males where the offence involves aggression. The link between
alcohol and aggression is not a simple one. Situational factors appear to play a strong ro l e
in alcohol-related aggressive acts which are in turn often influenced by the pro t a g a n i s t ’s
expectations of the outcome of a situation.
A l c o h o l - related aggression often results in facial injury, with beer glasses used as weapons.
Men, particularly young men, are the most likely victims. However, there is also a strong link
between domestic violence where women are the victims, and alcohol. Men who drink heavily
a re more likely to physically abuse their partners. Consequently, women are more likely than
men to be injured in the home, while men are more likely to sustain injury near licensed
p re m i s e s .