§ Mr. Peter Bruinvelsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his reply of 12 January to the hon. Member for Leicester, East, Official Report, column 71, whether he has completed his consideration of the disturbances over the new year period; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HurdI have now consulted chief officers of police about the disturbances in various towns on new year's eve. The police handling of the disorder at Lincoln is being reviewed by an assistant chief constable from the Humberside police. I shall ensure that any lessons for the future handling of such incidents are disseminated to chief officers.
In many of the incidents, there was evidence of excessive drinking. I regard the link between alcohol misuse and crime and disorder as increasingly serious and requiring Government and public attention. The ministerial group on crime prevention, chaired by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, has been considering the matter.
A project is being established by a local committee in Coventry to consider the various aspects of disorder associated with licensed premises. Further projects are being considered. A working group of the standing conference on crime prevention has been set up under the chairmanship of Lady Masham to study the question of alcohol and young people. I understand that the problem of disorderly behaviour by drunken youths will be one of the issues which the working group will consider.