World Cup drinking tags fitted to thousands of UK offenders to curb alcohol-fuelled violence

Thousands of criminals have been fitted with hi-tech ankle tags to stop them drinking during the World Cup.

The tags will analyse a wearer's sweat to tell if they are drinking during the tournament, the Ministry of Justice has said.

Around 5,000 offenders have already been fitted with the tags with another 2,300 expected to be given them over the coming weeks.

The tags will send probation officers an alert if they have a tipple and can even distinguish whether fans are drinking themselves or are around people who are doing so.

Prisons, probation and reducing reoffending minister Lord James Timpson said: "Major sporting events should be a time for the country to come together and enjoy the game, not for alcohol-fuelled violence and disorder to ruin the occasion.

"Having this tech fixed around the ankle is the wake-up call to offenders and leaves them with the sobering thought that one slip-up could send them to jail."

The tech was introduced in 2020 and has stopped offenders from drinking for 96% of the days they are tagged, the MoJ said.

Read more from Sky News:
Britain facing 'tropical night' temperatures
Three prisoners given whole life orders

David Sidwick and Joy Allen, the joint leads on addictions and substance misuse at the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, said: "The World Cup unites the nation and we want to see football fans who usually support rival clubs celebrating together - including with a drink if that is their choice.

"However, alcohol fuels crime and anti-social behaviour, and evidence shows violence spikes around major sports events.

"Police and crime commissioners and deputy mayors back the use of alcohol tags to monitor offenders and incentivise them to stay away from crime as part of a programme of measures to rehabilitate them and reduce reoffending, keeping communities safe from alcohol-related harm."

If a tagged offender does consume alcohol, their probation officer can order their return to court or prison.

(c) Sky News 2026: World Cup drinking tags fitted to thousands of UK offenders to curb alcohol-fuelled violence