Police chief blames smoking ban and cheap alcohol for rise in domestic violence

Last updated at 11:23 21 April 2008


A police chief has said the smoking ban and cheap alcohol sold in supermarkets are to blame for an increase in domestic violence.

Chief Superintendent Peter White, based in Preston, Lancashire believes a change in people's social drinking habits following the implementation of the smoking ban last year, and some supermarkets selling alcohol for as little as 23p per can, is to blame for the increase in certain areas.

Figures for the last quarter reveal domestic violence accounts for as much as 40 per cent of violent crime in some suburban areas in the east of the city, with 23 per cent being the overall average in Preston.

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Mr White said: "It would seem sensible that some people will stay at home and drink more because it's cheaper to do it that way.

"That may lead to dispute between partners and therefore domestic violence.

"I don't particularly think it's a leap of faith to suggest one of the reasons crime is going down in the city centre and not going down elsewhere might be people's social drinking habits are changing.

"We are having reported to us by the licensing trade that the smoking ban is really affecting business in pubs and we know from our patrols in the city centre the pubs don't seem to be as busy.

"We know pubs are closing. A lot of the licensees are quoting the smoking ban and price of alcohol in pubs.

"We also know, relatively speaking, alcohol in supermarkets is very cheap and we also know statistics are showing we have not reduced domestic violence as quickly as the ban has reduced crime in the city centre.”

Police say the increased reporting of domestic violence could be positive as more people may be coming forward and seeking help, whereas in the past, victims would be reluctant to report such crimes.

Mr White said there was a lot of work being done to address domestic violence and he urged victims to come forward and report it.

Valerie Wise, Director of Preston Women's Refuge, said: “It's horrendous that 40 per cent of violent crime cases in some parts of Preston are related to domestic violence.

"I think sometimes people use drink as an excuse and as far as I'm concerned, there's no excuse.

"If people can't hold their alcohol they shouldn't drink. They know if they have got a problem from that perspective.

"Domestic violence is a deliberate act and so can't be excused by having a drop too much to drink."

In February, Inspector Steve Evans, also based in Preston, blamed the smoking ban for pushing violent crime on to the city's streets.

He said the sudden increase of smokers lighting up outside pubs and restaurants since the ban had “provoked” trouble in the city centre.

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