ALMOST two-thirds of violent crimes in Cornwall resulting in injury involve alcohol – and now a new campaign aims to raise awareness of the true costs of drinking to excess.

In an initiative called “What will your drink cost?”, Safer Cornwall, the community safety partnership for the county, wants to highlight the issues surrounding alcohol-related violence and anti-social behaviour.

It found that in Cornwall over the last year, 22% of all crimes recorded by police involved alcohol.

And this increased to 60% for violent crimes resulting in injury to a person.

Meanwhile alcohol was involved in one in three domestic abuse offences, and just over a quarter of serious sexual offences.

The campaign will target educational and preventative messages at young people, parents, and adults who are socially drinking. Specific key messages will include the illegal or inappropriate supply of alcohol to young people by their parents or other adults.

The Cornwall Council Anti-social Behaviour Team will also be working alongside Devon and Cornwall Police utilising body cameras to gather evidence of anti-social behaviour in the key towns where alcohol related violence is a problem.

Simon Mould the chair of Safer Cornwall says: “The Safer Towns programme is yielding good results across Cornwall.?This campaign speaks directly to our communities and asks them to seriously consider the consequences of drinking and how it can lead to alcohol related violence, including domestic abuse, and anti-social behaviour.”

Ian Drummond-Smith from Devon and Cornwall Police says: “It is important to raise the public’s awareness of the impact of excessive alcohol consumption, and its links to violent crime. We are also asking parents to consider the implications of supplying alcohol to their children.”

Public health consultant Ruth Goldstein reminds people that drinking may make it more difficult to control the spread of coronavirus. She said: “COVID-19 isn’t age sensitive. If you are in the wrong setting with individuals who have the virus it will spread. Whilst drinking, it is very difficult to keep your distance which is why we are asking people to consider this when socialising. You have to remember what you may be taking home with you.”

Cornwall Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Protection, Rob Nolan, says:?“So much of the harm caused to our communities is alcohol-related, and on a daily basis. The message is not ‘don’t drink’ but ‘understand the facts and if you choose to drink, do so safely and responsibly’.

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