Offenders with booze problems to be given ‘sobriety tags’ that can immediately detect if they drink
TROUBLEMAKERS with booze problems are to be issued with ‘sobriety tags’ that will see them jailed if they touch a drop.
Under the high tech plan, courts can impose orders on alcohol-related offenders to ban them from drinking.
They will be ordered to wear high tech devices that can immediately detect when they’ve had a drink, and police will them haul them back in front of a judge.
The new bid to curb problem-drinking will be unveiled tomorrow by Justice Secretary Robert Buckland in his speech to the Tories’ annual conference.
They will be targeted on boozed-up people arrested or convicted for an array of offences from repeat drink-driving to assault, domestic violence and child abuse.
Mr Buckland will tell the party faithful: “Prison is a hugely important tool to tackle crime but it is not the only one.
“We must make use of smart technologies to prevent offenders from becoming re-offenders.
“Many criminals who carry out anti-social behaviour have problems with alcohol.
“Get a grip on this, and we can massively reduce crime.”
MOST READ IN POLITICS
The tags - locked to an offender’s ankle - contain three sensors: one that samples skin perspiration every 30 minutes, and two anti-circumvention detector sensors that confirm proximity to the skin and skin temperature.
PM Boris Johnson piloted putting sobriety tags on offenders when he was Mayor of London.
It was deemed a success, with a 92% compliance rate, but discontinued and never rolled out nationwide.
- GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL [email protected]