'Ladette women' culture spreading fast in UK

London, June 15 (ANI): Fuelling fears of the growing "ladette" culture in UK, the number of women fined for drunk and disorderly behaviour has increased by almost a third in the last two years, according figures revealed by the British Government.

Paul Holmes, Liberal Democrat justice spokesman, said: "These figures are yet more evidence the existence of a binge-drinking ladette culture, particularly amongst teenage girls.

The rate of fines is now increasing at a faster rate than men, but the problem is even worse among girls drinking under-age, where fines increased by almost half, the Daily Telegraph reports.

It emerged last week that young women are drinking as much as young men. Four in ten young women admitted that they exceed recommended limits at least once a week.

In May, Government data showed that women are involved in a quarter of all violent attacks.

"As the number of drunken women on our streets has increased, so has the number of violent assaults being carried out by women. The Government has completely failed to tackle binge drinking and the resultant violence," Holmes said.

A total of 6,098 penalty notices for being drunk and disorderly were issued to women in 2005, but that increased to 7,930 by 2007.

In comparison, fines for men increased by only 20 per cent from 34,078 to 41,132 over the period, although men are clearly subject to far more fines.

Girls aged between 16 and 17 received 642 fines in 2007 compared to 438, a 47 per cent increase. Teenage girls aged between 18 and 20 also saw a sharp rise of 40 per cent from 1,189 to 1,670 over the period.

"The main problem is enforcing the rules. We have to get tough on those who sell booze to kids and better educate our children about the dangers of alcohol," Homes said.

A Home Office spokesman said: "Drinking alcohol is never an excuse for causing harm and distress to others and so we will continue to ensure that the police and courts have all the tools and powers they need to bring the irresponsible minority, men and women alike, swiftly to justice. (ANI)