'Drunk Tanks' Could Solve Drinking Problem

'Drunk tanks' could be introduced into Britain as the Government seeks "innovative" solutions to tackle public drunkenness.

Widely used across Europe and the US, 'drunk tanks' are used to keep the intoxicated off the streets while they sober up.

On a visit to a hospital in the North East, the Prime Minister is set to criticise the "reckless" drunken behaviour of the "irresponsible" minority that costs the health service about £2.7bn a year.

"Every night, in town centres, hospitals and police stations across the country, people have to cope with the consequences of alcohol abuse, and the problem is getting worse," David Cameron will say.

"Over the last decade we've seen a frightening growth in the number of people - many underage - who think it's acceptable for people to get drunk in public in ways that wreck lives, spread fear and increase crime.

"This is one of the scandals of our society and I am determined to deal with it."

According to the Government, £1bn of the cost of drunkenness and alcohol abuse to the NHS is seen in the increased burden faced by accident and emergency services and alcohol was the primary factor in 200,000 hospital admissions in 2010/11.

Mr Cameron will say the Government will set out how it intends to help emergency services "rise to the challenge" in a forthcoming Alcohol Strategy.

"Whether it's the police officers in A and E that have been deployed in some hospitals, the booze buses in Soho and Norwich, or the drunk tanks used abroad, we need innovative solutions to confront the rising tide of unacceptable behaviour," he will say.

"This isn't just about more rules and regulation. It's about responsibility and a sense of respect for others."

The Prime Minister will also suggest that bars, supermarkets and the drinks industry must do more to ensure that responsible drinking becomes more than "just a slogan".

'Drunk tanks' have been mooted before - for example a 2009 report by for Scottish ministers reached similar conclusions.

At the time they were used in Aberdeen and Inverness to prevent intoxicated people needing to be taken to police stations if there is no one else to look after them.

However, the research indicated they could cost between £20,000 and £200,000 a year to operate as drunk people need to be monitored.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) also called on the then-government to introduce such a scheme in December 2010, arguing it would help alleviate the burden on the police.