City's wealthiest most likely to drink excessively says doctor

The figures are revealed in the new Sheffield Alcohol Strategy, which has been drawn up by Sheffield's director of public health Jeremy Wight to try to create a "responsible drinking culture" in the city.

His report shows that the affluent neighbourhoods of Nether Edge and Crookes had the highest numbers of "hazardous, harmful and dependent drinking behaviour" and these people may be "at high risk of serious health problems."

Mr Wight's new strategy, which is set to be agreed by Sheffield Council next week, says: "Affluent drinkers are more likely to perceive their behaviour as sociable and desirable, and therefore less likely to visit their GP or a treatment service as a result."

Less affluent areas of the city, meanwhile, topped the list for incidents of criminal damage, anti-social behaviour and domestic violence.

Criminal damage peaked in Woodhouse, Mosborough, the city centre and Ecclesfield, while Woodhouse, Mosborough, Ecclesfield, Woodseats and Gleadless Valley recorded the most anti-social behaviour incidents.

Domestic violence, of which 46 per cent of incidents are thought to be caused by alcohol, was most prevalent in two areas – the north east of Sheffield, around Shiregreen and Southey Green, and in the Darnall, Manor, Wybourn, Arbourthorne and Gleadless Valley towards the south east of the city.

It is estimated that 23.3 per cent of adults in Sheffield, or about 91,000 people, consume twice the recommended daily amount of alcohol in one session – the recognised definition of binge drinking – which is above both the national and regional average.

The Sheffield Alcohol Strategy aims to tackle the health and social problems caused by excess alcohol while also recognising the importance of drinking for the city centre economy.

The scheme therefore includes expanding the Best Bar None scheme, employing a new "night-time economy manager" for the city centre, funding plastic glasses for those bars that require them, continuing to enforce underage sales of alcohol.

It also calls for more careful management of events such as the Carnage pub crawls, to encourage "a sensible drinking culture and responsible behaviour."

Mr Wight said: "The presence of over 50,000 students in Sheffield provides many economic benefits both immediately and, in creating a more skilled workforce, the future.

"However, these economic benefits have to be balanced against the negative aspects of behaviour.

"Whilst there is a definite need for alcohol strategies to address the health-related harms, criminal and anti-social disorders consequent on excessive and irresponsible consumption, there is also a growing recognition of the role that the alcohol industry plays in sustaining local economies," he added.

"The development of night-time economies in major urban areas has supported the revival of cities nationally as positive entertainment centres."

Sheffield Council has also resolved, along with other members of the "Core Cities" group, to lobby for three other legislative changes – a minimum pricing of 50p per unit for alcohol, changes to the Licensing Act and the inclusion in GP contracts of the requirement to treat alcohol-related conditions.

Changes to licensing regulations, Mr Wight said, could give Sheffield Council "greater powers to influence licensing policy locally in tune with local concerns, policies and achieving the vision for the city."

A minimum cost of 50p per unit of alcohol, meanwhile, could reduce alcohol consumption.

Wednesday's cabinet committee meeting, at which the strategy is set to be agreed, is due to start at the Town Hall at 2pm.