Criminal drinkers tracked and traced with 'sobriety tags'

Offenders who commit “alcohol-fuelled” crimes can be required to wear “sobriety tags” and banned from drinking under legislation that comes into force in England and Wales on Tuesday. People who are found to be breaching an alcohol abstinence order can be brought back before the courts to face further punishment, which could include imprisonment. While prison will always be the right place for many criminals, tough community sentences like this can help cut reoffending and protect the public.” Two successful pilots, one across Humberside, Lincolnshire and North Yorkshire and another in London, recorded that 94% of offenders remained alcohol-free during their monitoring period. Keith Hunter, the police and crime commissioner (PCC) for Humberside, said: “During the trial in our area they provided rehabilitation agencies a real opportunity to work with the individual and get them to recognise and change their behaviour. They are said to be capable of distinguishing between alcohol-based products, such as hand sanitisers, that could be used to mask alcohol consumption and can also detect when contact between skin and tag has been blocked. “I no longer need a drink to manage my emotions which is down to the tag and my probation officer – I’m much happier with my life now and pleased that more people can benefit from my experience of wearing the tags.”