England: ‘Sobriety tags’ can be imposed on criminals under new law

The ankle tags, which have been successfully piloted, sample the wearer’s sweat every 30 minutes to determine whether alcohol has been consumed in breach of an alcohol abstinence order.

If the tags – which can be imposed for up to 120 days – detect that alcohol has been consumed, the offender can be returned to court for further sanctions, including a fine, an extension of the order, or imprisonment.

The tags have been piloted in Humberside, Lincolnshire and North Yorkshire, and a national rollout will commence later this year.

Kit Malthouse, minister for crime, policing and justice, said: “Alcohol-fuelled crime blights communities and puts an unnecessary strain on our frontline services.

“Smart technologies like sobriety tags not only punish offenders but can help turn their lives around.

“While prison will always be the right place for many criminals, tough community sentences like this can help cut reoffending and protect the public.”