Police bid to call time on drunks

The report said drunk people should not only be a criminal justice problem

The drinks trade should help foot part of the bill for people found "drunk and incapable", a police watchdog has said.

HM Inspectorate of Constabulary for Scotland put forward the idea as part of a wider call for a reform of medical services provided to people in custody.

It called for people found drunk and incapable in a public place to be referred to the ambulance service rather than put in a police cell.

And it said those who supplied alcohol should pay for its consequences.

"We feel there is a strong ethical and practical case for regarding drunk and incapable people as something other than merely a criminal justice problem," it said.

"Alternative approaches to this social problem must be explored which, in our view, might well be at least partially funded under the polluter pays principle.

"After the drunken individuals themselves, the people really at fault in these situations are, in some instances, those who continue to supply alcohol long after drunkenness is obvious."

It may be possible for all medical and forensic responsibilities to move from the police service to the health service Inspectorate of Constabulary report

Scotland has just two facilities - Albyn House in Aberdeen and Beechwood House in Inverness - offering a bed and support, instead of a night in the cells, for those found drunk and incapable.

"Throughout the Scottish police service both are considered to be examples of good practice that could usefully be extended across Scotland," the report said.

Present arrangements for police medical services date back 60 years to the creation of the NHS, when it became necessary to clarify payment arrangements for NHS and non-NHS doctors, particularly in emergencies.

The title "forensic medical examiner" replaced the old style of police surgeon, but only about 15% of the cost arises from forensic work.

The report cited NHS Tayside's intention, as part of a Tayside police pilot scheme, to take full responsibility for all medical services, including forensic.

"This leads us to the belief that it may be possible for all medical and forensic responsibilities to move from the police service to the health service, provided that suitable negotiations take place and associated arrangements are agreed to by all parties," the report said.