Booze blamed for soaring crime
Pubs and shops push numbers up
Soaring crime rates can be linked to areas with the most pubs and shops selling alcohol, a study has found.
Alcohol Focus Scotland said alcohol- related death and injury rates are also higher in neighbourhoods with the most alcohol outlets.
The charity’s study showed crime rates were more than four times higher in areas with the most alcohol outlets compared to those with the least.
And in South Ayrshire it was found to be EIGHT times higher.
Alcohol- related death and injury rates were both around double in neighbourhoods with the most outlets.
The study found deprived areas had 40 per cent more alcohol outlets than in the least deprived, with almost double the number of off- sales.
It comes as Girvan’s Glendoune estate was named as the area in South Ayrshire with the most alcohol- related hospital admissions.
Alison Douglas, chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland, said: “This research highlights the clear relationship between the availability of alcohol and a range of serious problems suffered by communities across Scotland.
“We have long known that if we want to reduce the harm caused by alcohol, we must take action on how readily available it is.
“This new research should be used to help inform the Scottish Government’s next steps on alcohol prevention which are due to be published this summer.”
A spokesman for South Ayrshire Council said: “We take our licensing responsibilities very seriously and the Licensing Board is actively considering how to meet its objectives including protecting and improving public health and preventing crime and disorder.
“The Licensing Board is currently reviewing its licensing policy and will soon launch a public consultation to help finalise its next five year plan.”