THE head of Scotland's largest police force is backing plans that could cut access to cheap booze.

THE head of Scotland's largest police force is backing plans that could cut access to cheap booze.

Steve House, chief constable of Strathclyde Police, today praised new efforts to tackle the damage caused by drink.

Mr House said he and employees in other emergency services look forward to having a say on Scotland's booze culture.

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said the help of frontline experts can't come soon enough as the Government finalises radical plans to change drinking habits.

Speaking exclusively to the Evening Times, Mr House said: "I understand these proposals are for widespread consultation and I am sure the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPOS) will want to make their views known after we have considered the proposals.

"Some of the proposals certainly begin to address the issues which alcohol misuse cause Scot-land and in particular Strathclyde."

While senior officers across the country will have to discuss a formal response from ACPOS, Mr House was heartened by much of what he read in the Government's consultation paper, published this week.

He welcomed the introduction of a "wider debate" and said he looked forward to passing on his expertise before major decisions are made after responses have been gathered in September.

Earlier this week, the Evening Times revealed a Glasgow study found two thirds of people arrested for violence were drunk at the time.

The chief constable said: "My officers along with colleagues from the health, ambulance and fire services can give powerful testimony to the damage that alcohol misuse causes."

Ms Sturgeon, said: "We very much welcome the contribution that Mr House and other senior members of our police service have to make to the debate.

"Being on the front line in the fight against crime and disorder, they are all-too-familiar with the damage alcohol misuse causes in our communities."

The minister said she hoped the consultation would help build agreement among Scots about the way forward in the battle with the bottle that costs the Scottish economy £2.25billion a year.

She added: "Scotland's alcohol misuse problem is also having a very serious effect on our nation's health. That's why we have brought forward these proposals."