Shropshire criminals with alcohol issues to be fitted with new tags to monitor consumption
Criminals in Shropshire with alcohol issues will be fitted with new 'sobriety tags' to tackle alcohol-fuelled violence in the county.
The tags will alert the police and probation services when wearers are non-compliant.
In the last year, almost 6,000 alcohol-related offences were recorded in the West Mercia area.
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When the sobriety tags were piloted in other areas, there was a 92 per cent compliance rate.
Courts in several regions have been putting offenders on the tags, but now all courts in England and Wales will have the option available when sentencing criminals.
The high-tech monitors were first trialled in the UK in four London boroughs in 2014, and have also been piloted in other areas including Lincolnshire and Humberside.
Commissioner John Campion said “Across many of West Mercia’s towns and cities, alcohol-related violence is an issue which drains police resources.
"I welcome any measures which tackle the root causes of this issue, giving courts powers to impose punishments which are proven to work. Ultimately measures like this will help to make our communities safer.”
The tags are strapped around the offender's ankle, and detect alcohol consumption through sweat. They take roughly two readings an hour, and if booze is detected the offender can be sent back to court.
According to manufacturers Scram Systems, the devices can detect when something is placed between the ankle and the unit. Offenders have tried to fool the device with condoms, chicken skin and luncheon meat.
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In the last month, several criminals have been prosecuted for alcohol-related attacks in the county including Kieran Taylor, 26, who was jailed for 13 months for repeatedly hitting a student on the Welsh Bridge in Shrewsbury.
His cousin Shaun Gilbert was given a community order for playing a part in the attack. Taylor's solicitor told the court that he had "alcohol issues", and Gilbert was given an alcohol rehabilitation order.
Another offender, 51-year-old Shirley Robinson, was ordered to attend alcohol treatment for six months after the police were called to a disturbance in Astley, near Shrewsbury. She admitted affray at Shrewsbury Crown Court.
Justice secretary Robert Buckland revealed the sobriety tag plans at the Conservative party conference. He said: “Prison is a hugely important tool to tackle crime but it is not the only one.
“We must make use of smart technologies to prevent offenders from becoming re-offenders.
“Many criminals who carry out anti-social behaviour have problems with alcohol.
“Get a grip on this, and we can massively reduce crime.”
