BOOZY offenders are being fitted with tags to stop them drinking.
They monitor sweat every 30 minutes and alert probation officials if any alcohol is consumed.
If caught breaking drink bans of up to 120 days, the offenders then face fines or being thrown back in jail.
The sobriety tags will come into force from today in Wales and will be extended to England early next year.
They are designed to tackle a rise in drink-fuelled crimes, with booze a factor in four out of ten violent offences such as attacks on strangers and domestic abuse.
The social and economic cost of alcohol-related crime is estimated to be more than £21billion per year.
Crime and Policing Minister Kit Malthouse said: “All too often we see the devastating effects of alcohol-fuelled behaviour, reckless crimes and casual violence which blight our neighbourhoods and the lives of too many victims.
“This proven new tool can break the self-destructive cycle that offenders end up in, helping them sober up if they choose to and the courts to punish those who don’t.”
The scheme follows successful pilots in London and across Humberside, Lincs and North Yorks.
Offenders were alcohol-free on over 97 per cent of days monitored. Tag wearers also reported a positive impact on their wellbeing and behaviour.
GOT a story? RING HOAR on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL [email protected]
Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.hellofaread.com/politics/unite-boss-len-mccluskey-forced-to-apologise-for-telling-peter-mandelson-to-go-count-his-gold/
