The Scottish Court of Session has ruled today in favour of the introduction of a minimum unit price for alcohol. County Durham and Darlington’s Police, Crime and Victims’ Commissioner, Ron Hogg, has been campaigning for minimum unit pricing in England since coming into office in 2012. Ron commented: “I am delighted that that the Scottish Government has achieved the go-ahead to introduce minimum unit pricing north of the border. I hope that the UK Government will now feel able to adopt a minimum unit price in England and Wales.” Ron added: “Alcohol is the drug which causes the most harm in our society, and that drinking excessively can cause terrible health problems for people. It is also behind many of the crimes which we see on our streets, and in people’s homes. It is a major factor behind violent behaviour and domestic abuse, for example. “Whilst a minimum unit price would not put a stop to these kinds of crimes, I believe that it would limit the amount of alcohol consumed. Modelling by Sheffield University suggests that a minimum unit price of 50p in Scotland would lead to 60 fewer deaths per year, 1300 fewer hospital admissions, and 3500 fewer crimes after one year”.