AN initiative aimed at reducing alcohol-related crimes has been rolled out across the Vale.

West Mercia Constabulary, The Advisory Service on Alcohol, the Crown Prosecution Service and the Court Service joined forces to pilot a government scheme this year by putting offenders on an alcohol arrest referral programme.

The scheme was initially funded by £140,000 from the West Midlands Crime Reduction and Social Inclusion Unit. It is the first to be evaluated by the University of Central England and originally only applied to offences committed in Worcester city centre, but since May, those charged with an alcohol-related offence in Evesham and Pershore have been included.

Those charged with an offence involving alcohol now attend two one-hour sessions with the advisory service as a condition of their bail.

These enable offenders to understand the effect their drinking behaviour has on themselves and others. It looks at links between drink and offences, quality of life, and looks at the formulation of an action plan to help reduce the chances of a repeat offence. Anyone under the age of 17 is accompanied by a parent or appropriate adult at the sessions.

Last year, 22,573 crimes were committed in the south Worcestershire area. Of these 2132, almost 10%, were identified as being related to alcohol.

Sergeant Pete Hughes of West Mercia Licensing, said since the scheme began to include all areas of South Worcestershire and drink driving offences it had gone from strength to strength with 86 people being referred to the advisory service.

Sgt Hughes added: "Before this scheme there were no mechanisms in place to help offenders that might be affected by drink. Hopefully, this programme will have a positive impact on the person and will show the court their willingness to try and help themselves which can be taken into consideration at the time of sentencing."

Chairman of the magistrates bench for South Worcestershire Catherine Lane said magistrates often heard mitigation in court about the use and abuse of alcohol, which has led to a variety of offences.

She added: "Any initiative to reduce this type of offence, and re-offence, has to be beneficial to the local community and this initiative is welcomed by my colleagues on the bench."