Nights out can often be known for getting a little bit rowdy, with some people inevitably having one drink too many and ending up on the wrong side of the law. That’s why it’s vital that anyone selling alcohol to individuals has a Personal Licence (APLH), ensuring that people sell alcohol responsibly and maintain standards that minimise alcohol-related incidents or abuse.

But which areas in the UK have the highest number of alcohol-fuelled arrests? By gathering responses to Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, we can reveal which areas have had the highest number of drunk and disorderly arrests over the last five years.

We will also reveal which areas have seen the biggest increases and decreases in drunk and disorderly arrests, in order to determine the areas where it is becoming a bigger problem.

Nottinghamshire Police recorded the highest rate of drunk and disorderly arrests in 2022

1. Nottinghamshire Police                   2022 arrests per 100,000 people: 184.33

The police force recording the highest rate of drunk and disorderly arrests in 2022 is Nottinghamshire Police, with 184.33 arrests per 100,000 people. Nottinghamshire Police has over 2,300 officers and covers an area of approximately 830 square miles, including cities and towns such as Nottingham, Mansfield and Newark-on-Trent. In total, 2,112 drunk and disorderly arrests were made by Nottinghamshire Police in 2022.

2. Northumbria Police                          2022 arrests per 100,000 people: 142.96

In second place is Northumbria Police, which recorded a rate of 142.96 drunk and disorderly arrests per 100,000 people back in 2022. Northumbria Police is the largest force in the North East, both by number of officers (over 3,000) and geographical area (2,141 square miles). Northumbria Police covers some major urban areas including Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, Sunderland, Gateshead and both North and South Tyneside, and recorded a total of 2,069 drunk and disorderly arrests in 2022.

3. Lancashire Constabulary                2022 arrests per 100,000 people: 118.94

The police force with the third highest rate of drunk and disorderly arrests in 2022 is Lancashire Constabulary, with 118.94 arrests per 100,000 people. The Lancashire Constabulary has over 3,000 officers and covers an area of approximately 1,121 square miles, including areas such as Lancaster, Blackpool, Blackburn and Burnley. In total, 1,822 drunk and disorderly arrests were made by Lancashire Constabulary in 2022.

Staffordshire Police recorded the lowest rate of drunk and disorderly arrests in 2022

1. Staffordshire Police                         2022 arrests per 100,000 people: 4.14

The police force recording the lowest rate of drunk and disorderly arrests in 2022 is Staffordshire Police, with just 4.14 arrests per 100,000 people. Staffordshire Police serves over 1.1 million people, spanning an area of approximately 1,000 square miles, including several highly-populated areas such as Stoke-on-Trent, Tamworth and Burton-Upon-Trent. In total, there were just 47 drunk and disorderly arrests made by Staffordshire Police in 2022.

2. Essex Police                                      2022 arrests per 100,000 people: 9.39

In second place is Essex Police, which recorded a rate of just 9.39 drunk and disorderly arrests per 100,000 people in 2022. Essex Police has over 3,800 officers and covers an area of approximately 1,420 square miles, including multiple districts such as Chelmsford, Brentwood, Basildon and Colchester. In total, there were just 175 drunk and disorderly arrests made by Essex Police in 2022.

3. Leicestershire Police                        2022 arrests per 100,000 people: 10.63

The police with the third lowest rate of drunk and disorderly arrests in 2022 is Leicestershire Police, with just 10.63 arrests per 100,000 people. Leicestershire Police serves over 1 million people, spanning an area of approximately 965 square miles, including Leicester, Rutland and Leicestershire. In total, there were just 119 drunk and disorderly arrests made by Leicestershire Police in 2022.

Greater Manchester Police saw the biggest increase in drunk and disorderly arrests in 2022

1. Greater Manchester Police                          Annual Increase: 57.75%

The police force with the biggest annual increase in drunk and disorderly arrests is Greater Manchester Police, with an increase of 57.75%. Greater Manchester Police has over 6,800 officers and covers an area of approximately 492 square miles, including some major areas such as Manchester, Bury, Salford and Bolton. In total, there were 1,516 drunk and disorderly arrests made by Greater Manchester Police in 2022, compared to 961 arrests in 2021.

2. Staffordshire Police                                     Annual Increase: 34.29%

In second place is Staffordshire Police, which saw a 34.29% increase in drunk and disorderly arrests last year. In 2021, Staffordshire Police was required to make 35 arrests due to alcohol-related incidents within the areas that they cover and by 2022, this figure had increased to 47.

3. Northamptonshire Police                            Annual Increase: 31.18%

The police force with the third biggest annual increase in drunk and disorderly arrests is Northamptonshire Police, with an increase of 31.18%. Northamptonshire Police serves a population of approximately 710,000 people and covers an area of around 914 square miles, including towns such as Brackley, Kettering, Northampton and Rothwell. In 2021, 93 drunk and disorderly arrests were made by Northamptonshire Police and by 2022, this figure had increased to 122.

West Mercia Police recorded the biggest decrease in drunk and disorderly arrests in 2022

1. West Mercia Police                                       Annual Decrease: 82.03%

The police force with the biggest annual decrease in drunk and disorderly arrests is West Mercia Police, with a decrease of 82.03%. West Mercia Police has over 2,300 officers and covers an area of approximately 2,868 square miles, including the counties of Herefordshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire. In 2021, 2,632 arrests were made by West Mercia Police for alcohol-related incidents and by 2022, this figure had decreased significantly to 473.

2. Hertfordshire Constabulary                                    Annual Decrease: 49.79%

In second place is Hertfordshire Constabulary, which saw an annual decrease of 49.79% in drunk and disorderly arrests between 2021 and 2022. Hertfordshire Constabulary has over 1,900 officers and covers an area of approximately 634 square miles, including areas such as Watford, St Albans, Hertsmere and Stevenage.  In 2021, Hertfordshire Constabulary made 468 arrests for drunk and disorderly offences and by 2022, this figure had decreased to 235.

3. Dyfed Powys Police                                     Annual Decrease: 30.52%

The police force with the third biggest annual decrease in drunk and disorderly arrests is Dyfed Powys Police, with a decrease of 30.52%. Dyfed Powys Police has over 1,100 officers and covers an area of approximately 4,223 square miles, including the six counties of Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, Brecknockshire, Radnoshire and Montgomeryshire. In 2021, 154 arrests were made by Dyfed Powys Police for alcohol-related incidents and by 2022, this figure had decreased to 107.

West Mercia Police has recorded the most drunk and disorderly arrests since 2018

1. West Mercia Police               Arrests since 2018, per 100,000 people: 1,073.29

The police force that has the highest rate of drunk and disorderly arrests since 2018 is West Mercia Police, with 1,073.29 arrests per 100,000 people. Between the years of 2018 and 2022, West Mercia Police recorded almost 14,000 arrests due to alcohol-related incidents. The highest number of arrests occurred in 2018 when 3,992 people were arrested for being drunk and disorderly.

2. Nottinghamshire Police       Arrests since 2018, per 100,000 people: 811.05

In second place is Nottinghamshire Police, with a rate of 811.05 drunk and disorderly arrests per 100,000 people, since 2018. Between the years of 2018 and 2022, Nottinghamshire Police arrested almost 9,300 people for being drunk and disorderly. The highest number of arrests occurred in 2022 when 2,112 alcohol-related incidents were recorded.

3. Northumbria Police              Arrests since 2018, per 100,000 people: 693.98

The police force with the third highest rate of drunk and disorderly arrests since 2018 is Northumbria Police, with 693.98 arrests per 100,000 people. Between the years of 2018 and 2022, Northumbria Police recorded over 10,000 arrests due to alcohol-related incidents. The highest number of arrests occurred in 2018 when 2,267 people were arrested for being drunk and disorderly.

Staffordshire Police recorded the fewest drunk and disorderly arrests since 2018

1. Staffordshire Police             Arrests since 2018, per 100,000 people: 29.49

The police force that has the lowest rate of drunk and disorderly arrests since 2018 is Staffordshire Police, with just 29.49 arrests per 100,000 people. Between the years of 2018 and 2022, Staffordshire Police arrested 335 people for being drunk and disorderly. The highest number of arrests occurred in 2018 when 114 alcohol-related incidents were recorded.

2. Leicestershire Police            Arrests since 2018, per 100,000 people: 48.39

In second place is Leicestershire Police, with a rate of just 48.39 drunk and disorderly arrests per 100,000 people, since 2018. Between the years of 2018 and 2022, Leicestershire Police recorded 542 arrests due to alcohol-related incidents. The highest number of arrests occurred in 2018 when 132 people were arrested for being drunk and disorderly.

3. Essex Police                          Arrests since 2018, per 100,000 people: 56.37

The police force with the third lowest rate of drunk and disorderly arrests since 2018 is Essex Police, with just 56.37 arrests per 100,000 people. Between the years of 2018 and 2022, Essex Police arrested 1,050 people for being drunk and disorderly. The highest number of arrests occurred in 2018 when 282 alcohol-related incidents were recorded.

Greater Manchester Police recorded a huge 4-year increase in drunk and disorderly arrests

1. Greater Manchester Police                          4-year increase: 1,103.17%

The police force with the biggest four-year increase in drunk and disorderly arrests is Greater Manchester Police, with a huge increase of 1,103.17%. In 2018, Greater Manchester Police was only required to make 126 arrests for drunk and disorderly conduct. However, by 2022, this figure had increased massively to 1,516 arrests.

2. Lancashire Constabulary                            4-year increase: 13.52%

In second place is Lancashire Constabulary, which has seen a 13.52% increase in arrests for drunk and disorderly conduct over the last four years. Back in 2018, the Lancashire Constabulary police force recorded 1,605 alcohol-fuelled arrests and by 2022, this figure had increased to 1,822.

3. Nottinghamshire Police                               4-year increase: 13.49%

Following closely behind is Nottinghamshire Police, who have seen a 13.49% increase in drunk and disorderly arrests since 2018. In 2022, 2,112 arrests were made by Nottinghamshire Police for alcohol-related incidents. This is compared to 1,861 arrests back in 2018.

The biggest 4-year decrease in drunk and disorderly arrests was recorded by West Mercia Police

1. West Mercia Police                                       4-year decrease: 88.15%

The police force with the biggest four-year decrease in drunk and disorderly arrests is West Mercia Police, with a decrease of 88.15%. In 2018, West Mercia Police made almost 4,000 arrests for drunk and disorderly conduct. However, by 2022, this figure had fallen massively to just 473 arrests.

2. Staffordshire Police                                     4-year decrease: 58.77%

In second place is Staffordshire Police, who have seen a decrease of 58.77% in the number of drunk and disorderly arrests that they are having to make. Back in 2018, 114 arrests were made by Staffordshire Police for alcohol-related incidents and by 2022, this figure had dropped to just 47 arrests.

3. West Midlands Police                                   4-year decrease: 57.03%

Following closely behind is the West Midlands Police, who have seen a 57.03% decrease in drunk and disorderly arrests since 2018. West Midlands Police has over 6,800 officers and covers an area of approximately 348 square miles, including major areas such as Birmingham, Coventry, Solihull and Wolverhampton. Back in 2018, the West Midlands police force was required to make 861 arrests due to drunk and disorderly conduct. By 2022, this figure had decreased to 370 arrests.

Drunk and disorderly arrests plunged during covid, with Staffordshire Police seeing the biggest decrease

1. Staffordshire Police                                     Covid decrease: 66.35%

The police force that saw the biggest drop in drunk and disorderly arrests during covid was Staffordshire Police. Back in 2019, before covid first arrived in the UK, Staffordshire Police recorded 104 alcohol-related arrests. Throughout 2020, when covid was at its peak in the UK, the number of drunk and disorderly arrests made by Staffordshire Police dropped to just 35, showing a decrease of 66.35%.

Outlier Hertfordshire Police saw a large increase in drunk and disorderly arrests during the pandemic

1. Hertfordshire Constabulary                                                Covid increase: 82.86%

On the other hand, some areas of the UK actually saw an increase in the number of drunk and disorderly arrests being made, with the highest increase being recorded by Hertfordshire Constabulary. In 2019, before the first covid cases were recorded in the UK, the Hertfordshire Constabulary made 245 arrests for drunk and disorderly conduct. Throughout the peak of covid, in 2020, this figure rose to 448 arrests, showing an increase of 82.86%.

Drunk and disorderly arrests on the UK public transport network

Throughout the UK, there are also plenty of drunk and disorderly arrests made on public transport each year. In total, the British Transport Police made over 5,200 arrests on public transport for alcohol-related incidents, between the years of 2018 to 2022. Back in 2018, 1,377 drunk and disorderly arrests were made on public transport and by 2022, this figure had dropped to 845, showing a four-year decrease of 38.63%.

Despite the number of arrests being made due to drunk and disorderly conduct on public transport dropping between the years 2018 and 2022, the number of arrests of this nature actually increased over the last year. Back in 2021, the British Transport Police made 837 alcohol-related arrests on the UK public transport network and by 2022, this figure had risen by 0.96% to 845.

As expected, covid did have a considerable impact on the total number of drunk and disorderly arrests being made on public transport. Back in 2019, 1,296 arrests were made by police forces around the UK and by the time covid made its way over here in 2020, this figure dropped to 893, showing a decrease of 31.10%. This is most likely due to the fact that people were asked not to travel on public transport unless their journey was absolutely necessary.

Methodology

We wanted to find out which UK have the highest rate of alcohol-related arrests. To do this, we sent a series of Freedom of Information requests to UK police forces asking for the number of drunk and disorderly arrests made each year from 2018 to 2022.

The data we received was used to show the police force areas with the most and fewest drunk and disorderly crimes per 100,000 people, using population data from the ONS. This rate was calculated both for 2022 and for the combined period of 2018 to 2022. We also calculated the annual % changes and 4-year % changes in drunk and disorderly arrests in each location, revealing the areas with the biggest increases and decreases for each period.

We also calculated the change in drunk and disorderly arrests from 2019 to 2020, giving us insight into the effects that the Covid pandemic and lockdown restrictions had on these offences. Additionally, we used data from the British Transport Police to provide insight into drunk and disorderly arrests on the UK public transport network.

We received data for all but four UK police forces, with Merseyside, Humberside, Warwickshire and Devon & Cornwall police being the exceptions at the time of writing. As Scotland and Northern Ireland have slightly different legislation around drunk and disorderly crime, we used data for the most directly comparable offences in each area.

Data from the City of London Police was merged with data from the Metropolitan Police Service to provide a single figure for Greater London.