Around 3,800 offenders have been forced to wear alcohol tags to keep streets safe over Christmas and New Year in London.
The technology monitors the alcohol in their sweat, so offenders can’t enjoy a festive tipple. Tags help tackle drink-fuelled crime such as domestic abuse and drunken disorde.r
A record number of offenders will be forced to stay sober this Christmas as part of the government’s Plan for Change, keeping streets safe and cutting alcohol-fuelled crime.
Statistics published on 23 December show around 3,800 offenders, either released from prison or serving a community sentence, will wear an alcohol tag over Christmas and New Year.
The tags work around the clock and detect if an offender has been drinking by analyzing their sweat, meaning festive favorites such as mulled wine and prosecco will be strictly off the menu.
James Timpson, Minister for Prisons, Probation, and Reducing Reoffending, highlighted the increase in alcohol-related offenses like domestic violence during the holidays, emphasizing the technology’s role in preventing such crimes.
Since its introduction in 2020, the system has shown significant success, with offenders remaining sober 97% of monitored days. The tags are so advanced that they can even differentiate between trace alcohol in foods like mince pies and intoxicating drinks, ensuring precise and accurate monitoring.
This initiative is part of a broader government effort to address alcohol-related harm, which costs taxpayers billions annually. The government is reviewing sentencing practices and exploring innovative technology to expand community-based penalties.
