Police criticised for offering alcohol aware course as ‘get out of jail free card’ for drunks

‘We want to help those who make one bad decision. We believe this will help to reduce drunken incidents’

DRUNKS who are arrested could avoid prosecution by paying to attend an alcohol awareness course.

Police forces around the country have begun to offer the option, arguing that drinking can make people act “out of character”. The two-hour educational sessions, which operate in the same way as speed awareness courses, cost around £50 and allow people to avoid a criminal record.

Last year, speed awareness courses raised £54 million for police forces and opened them up to criticism for using motorists as “cash cows”.

Gwent Police are the latest to roll out the scheme for drunkenness. It is already operating in Cumbria, West Mercia and Derbyshire. In Gwent it will be offered on a discretionary basis for first-time offenders and will cover lowlevel offences, such as being drunk and disorderly. Supporters claim it will allow offenders a second chance without having their lives tainted by a criminal record. But critics warned that the courses were the equivalent to offering offenders a “get out of jail free card”.

The scheme will be operated by a private company, the TTC Group, which already runs speed awareness courses, paying the police £45 per attendee from its revenues.

Those attending drink aware courses will be taught about the effects of alcohol and the impact excessive drinking can have on family, friends and the local community.

Chief Inspector Richard Blakemore, of Gwent Police, said the scheme formed part of a wider strategy to help tackle alcohol problems before they got out of control.

Jeff Cuthbert, the Gwent Police and Crime Commissioner, said it was not a “get out of jail free card” but a chance for people who have made “a silly mistake”. Those who complete the course will not appear on criminal checks.

Mr Blakemore said: “When people consume substantial amounts of alcohol, they can act out of character. We want to help those who make one bad decision not make the same mistake. We strongly believe this will help to reduce drunken incidents on our streets.”