Ankle tags for alcohol detection introduced in Northamptonshire

Special ankle tags that detect the amount of alcohol someone has been drinking have been introduced by Northamptonshire Police.

They are the first force in the country to introduce the device that is an alternative to sending people to prison for alcohol related crimes.

The tag is fitted around the ankle and is impossible to remove. It samples perspiration every 30 minutes and sends the data to a police station. Anyone on a tag will have agreed to stay sober and to wear it for up to 120 days.

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Northamptonshire, Adam Simmonds, says it is ideal for tackling people who are not particularly violent without alcohol.