Alcohol awareness offered in Leicester to replace fines

People caught being drunk and disorderly in Leicester could be offered alcohol awareness classes instead of on-the-spot fines.

Officers currently hand out £80 fines to people for low-level anti-social behaviour.

The pilot scheme will see people being offered the chance to avoid a fine by taking part in sessions highlighting the dangers of excessive alcohol use.

The scheme is similar to that already used to tackle speeding motorists.

'Harmful levels'

It is being run by the Safer Leicester Partnership, in collaboration with Leicestershire Constabulary, Leicestershire and Rutland Probation Trust and NHS Leicester City, and comes into effect on 22 November.

Every year more than 1,000 fixed penalty notices are given out for alcohol-related offences in the city, police said.

Supt Phil Whiteley, the operational commander for the city said: "Our sole intention is to ensure Leicester is a vibrant, safe place to enjoy a night out.

"However, we also recognise that there are some who would benefit from a scheme such as this with the result that fewer people abuse alcohol and commit alcohol related offences."

Figures show that one in five people across Leicestershire drink to harmful levels, with alcohol-related crime accounting for 65% of crime in the city.