The Home Office has published a report on the findings of the two Alcohol Arrest Referral (AAR) pilots. The AAR pilots took place between 2007 and 2010 in twelve police forces, but the evaluation did not find measurable reductions in re-offending or overall cost efficacy, despite evidence of reduced drinking.
The AAR pilots built on the early success of schemes such as the AAR in Dudley and Worcester, which were evaluated by Professor Doug Sharp in 2004. These early schemes appeared succesful and roll out of similar schemes was supported by the 2007 national alcohol strategy. However a 2009 Home Office guide to setting up ARRs warned of the challenges. > > > > Read More