Extra funding from any increase in cost of the license fee to pubs and clubs across the Aberdeen City and Grampian region should not only be invested in enforcement measures to tackle alcohol-fuelled offending but also allocated into expanding local alcohol support services says North-East MSP Richard Baker.

He is writing to the Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill after he gave evidence in parliament today on a proposal to increase the costs of obtaining a license.

He is asking him whether the Scottish Government will ensure proposed extra funding generated from the increased license fees will be allocated to both law enforcement on the streets and to expand and enhance support services.

Mr Baker’s call comes after Labour health spokeswomen Margaret Curran said she is to ask the Scottish Government questions about the future of the successful Aberdeen’s Albyn House project, which is run by Alcohol Support, after news revealed that its status is subject to a funding review.

After a visit to the facility last summer the MSP declared that he was impressed with the quality and range of services that were being utilised by the organisation to help those who had previously suffered from alcohol misuse.

Richard Baker said: "Alcohol misuse is a blight on our community and is a particular problem in Aberdeen and Grampian.

"The number of licensed premises in Aberdeen city centre means that alcohol related incidents are a huge drain on police resources.

"I can understand why the Scottish Government is looking at increasing costs for licenses to help provide extra funding for enforcing the licensing system is only part of the story.

"More work must be done to tackle the root problems that sufferers face through their misuse of alcohol.

"When I visited the support services at Albyn House last summer I was very impressed with the range of services and support they offer to those who are looking to tackle their own alcohol misuse.

"They also provide facilities so that people found on the street incapacitated through alcohol do not have to be taken into a police cell, but can be helped by volunteers and given not only a bed but afterwards help and advice on alcohol misuse.

"This will help save money for the police and if we can educate people to stop abusing alcohol, it will not only ease pressure on our police resources but also give relief to our community which too often suffers from alcohol related crime.