Case Study OneReducing Anti-social and drunk behaviour

and criminal damage

2

Reducing Anti-social and drunk behaviour and criminal damage

Introduction - The Problem

This case study is about female ‘A’ who, as a result of crimes committed, relative to her alcohol

addiction and mental health state, was regularly being arrested by police in Bedford town centre.

A has been a victim of domestic violence for a long time, and this was a factor in her being evicted

from her previous accommodation making her homeless. In addition she has been admitted to hospital

on numerous occasions over the last 2 years as a result of alcohol related illness. Following her

eviction, she found accommodation at the Nightshelter, from where she was barred on a number of

occasions due to her excessive drinking and behaviour. A found herself staying in the public toilets

causing damage to property and being further arrested.

From Spring 2011 – November 2011, A was working with Healthlink in relation to her drinking.

During this time she was not able to engage well, she became homeless, was subject to numerous

ambulance call-outs, police attendances and Hospital Accident & Emergency admissions.

Partnership Working

A number of statutory and non-statutory agencies contributed to the project, including;

Westminster Drug Project (WDP) Healthlink (Advice and Counselling)

Bedfordshire Drug Action Team

Enhanced care services

Bedford Centre (A day opportunity service

providing services for adults with a learning

disability)

Bedfordshire Police and PCSOs

Safeguarding of Vulnerable Adults (SOVA) Bedfordshire Probation Trust

One Support (Accommodation service) Bedford Borough Council Adult and Community

Services

Alcohol Services for the Community (ASC) Bedfordshire Pilgrims Housing Association

(BPHA)

Independent Domestic Violence Advisors and the

Multi-agency risk Assessment Conference Group

for victims of Domestic Abuse

Kings Arms Project (Works with a wide range of

homeless clients in Bedford, the vast majority

of whom have some degree of drug and alcohol

addiction and many have been long-term street

homeless with poor education or employment

opportunities, criminal records, and family

disconnection).

ISSUES IDENTIFIED

An offending history

An alcohol addiction problem

Homeless and Unemployed

Victim of Domestic Abuse

Mental Health problems

Physical health problems

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Reducing Anti-social and drunk behaviour and criminal damage

The Council’s Complex Needs Officer and Anti-social Behaviour officer coordinated a serious of multi-

agency meetings to address A’s needs. A plan using the Arrest Referral Scheme was put into place to

address the needs which included coordinating each agency’s input and to build a trusting relationship

with ‘A’. Each agency then played their part in building a rapport, where they helped her through:

Health checks with her GP,

Blood tests at the hospital,

Appearing at the Magistrates Court for criminal damage (she was also on a Probation order)

Being sectioned as part of her supported for 10 days under the Mental Health Act.

Sorting out her identity documents, benefits and going to the job centre

Accommodation,

Detoxification

A is now suitably housed with adequate support, her level of vulnerability has been successfully

managed and her well-being improved significantly. She was tested for Huntington’s Chorea and

treatment given if required. She has not been arrested for the last 4 months and there have been

fewer incidents of her being drunk and disorderly in the pubic toilets. A is engaging with agency

support and has kept her health related appointments.

A has not been seen in custody for a number of months by the Arrest Referral Team. Success can be

viewed in terms of service cost savings as follows;

Reduction in A&E costs

Reduction in arrests

Reduction in ambulance call outs

Reduction in CPS costs

Reduction of risk or prison costs

Reduction in probation costs

Reduction in future mental health unit costs

Reduction of ‘in kind’ costs for agency time at meetings and direct service delivery.

It is important to note that the minimum estimated savings represent the opportunity cost of A not re-

offending rather than a tangible cash saving. The actual saving is believed to be much more.

Planning and Delivery

Key Outcomes

Success Factors

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Reducing Anti-social and drunk behaviour and criminal damage

Table: Calculation of annual Estimated Savings

Savings to: Comment Total

Hospital A&E 27 admissions 3807

Police arrests Once a month 14,400

Police call outs Once a week 1560

Ambulance call outs 27 call outs 10,800

Court costs – Criminal

Damage

HO National estimate per

Criminal Damage judiciary case

cost is £ 612. Total equates to 6

appearances at court. 3672

Prison Cost 1 month period 3000

Probation Order 1 year 3000

Mental Health 10 days mental health unit 5000

Total: £45,239