ACS

The number of women arrested for being drunk and disorderly has increased by more than 50% in parts of the UK in the last five years, police figures show.

A police chief has called for a complete ban on discounted drinks, happy hours and alcohol advertising as figures reveal that the number of women arrested for being drunk and disorderly has risen dramatically in the past five years. Chief Constable Mike Craik told Channel 4 that much more needed to be done, particularly to combat underage drinking.

"There should be an end to discounted drinks, such as two-for-one deals, happy hours and supermarkets selling alcohol at below cost prices," Mr Craik said.

"There should also be a ban on the sale of alcopops and no advertising of alcohol."

There were 5,891 women detained for the offence last year compared with 3,847 in 2003-04. The numbers were obtained by Channel 4 News Online, which asked all police forces for details of women arrested. Of those, 21 forces reported an increase over the period, giving an overall 53 per cent rise, while 15 forces reported no change or a decline in arrests.

The figures for 2007-08 only covered 11 months of the year, and so are likely to be even higher.

Don Shenker, chief executive of Alcohol Concern, said women were now following the example of young men.
But he said: "The trouble is that women's bodies cannot handle these large amounts of alcohol."

Mr Shenker also said alcohol was still being sold too cheaply, despite tax increases in the recent Budget.

"Pubs and bars are now targeting women with special offers and cheap drinks to encourage them to drink more. It should be stopped," he said.
figures.