The individual and social costs of alcohol abuse are causing widespread concern across the UK. Although by no means a new problem, the concern is growing and many fear it is getting out of control. It is certainly having a major impact on the quality of life, not just in towns and cities but in many rural areas. Alcohol abuse is also an important contributor to the more hidden crime of domestic violence.

New legislation to tackle alcohol–fuelled violent crime and new and controversial licensing laws are being introduced in England and Wales. Tackling alcohol related crime and disorder features prominently in local community safety strategies. Problems are not restricted to particular geographic areas, big cities or particular social classes.

To examine the problem and the approaches to tackling it in more detail, the National Community Safety Network (NCSN) and the Government Office North West (GONW) joined forces in organising a regional conference on 24 May 2005 in Liverpool’s Lace Conference Centre. The event attracted over 200 delegates from a wide range of agencies and received excellent feedback. This two disc DVD covers highlights, keynote presentations, interviews, Power-Point slides and a dramatised presentation. The aims were to increase awareness of, to encourage debate on, and examine progress in implementing the government’s Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy, launched in March 2004.

The Strategy has four strands, covering education, health, crime and disorder and involving the industry. Presenters and seminar leaders represented the Home Office, GONW, the Police, the industry, Public Health, local government and the voluntary sector.

The organisers would like to thank the British Institute of Innkeepers (BII) for their kind financial support in helping to produce this DVD.