Courts will hit offenders with booze bans of up to four months from next year.
And louts will also be fitted with bracelets that sample sweat to see if they have been drinking.
The measures aim to cut down on reoffending rates and could result in people getting community sentences but being sent to prison if they touch a drop. The plan is being rolled
out across England and Wales
following trials.
Justice Secretary Robert Buckland said: “We know these offenders generally have multiple and complex needs linked to their offending behaviour, in particular drugs, alcohol and mental health needs.
“If we are to break the cycle of reoffending, solutions will often lie in community sentences.”
It comes after US-style booze tags were announced as ministers target binge drinkers blamed for half of the mayhem on streets at weekends.
The bracelets sample sweat every 30 minutes to test for alcohol use. The information is sent to police and probation officers.
Evidence suggests the £22million four-year scheme will cut drink-driving and domestic abuse.
Mr Buckland said: “The evidence showed they had a marked effect on reoffending. I’m committed to schemes like this where we can tackle the root causes of criminality.”
