THE number of women arrested for being drunk and disorderly in Essex has almost doubled in the last five years.

Police figures show 112 women were arrested across the county in 2003/04, but this had jumped to 204 last year.

In Southend, the number of women suffering the effects of alcohol after a night out is almost the same as men, according to John Bastin from the Southend SOS bus, which provides help for people trying to get home.

Mr Bastin said: "People think it is just men who drink to excess, but from what we see on the SOS bus it is on an even keel.

"We are going to South East Essex College in June to talk about drink and drugs. If people drink more responsibly they can enjoy themselves and remember what a good night they've had."

Figures from Essex Police show across the county in 2007 officers issued 2,194 penalty notices under the Public Order Act, for offences such as being drunk and disorderly. Of the 2,194 notices, 264 were issued to women. The majority were over 20 years old, but 60 were young women aged 17 to 20, and 18 girls were aged between ten and 16 years old.

Matt Bell, licensing officer in Southend, said: "We are setting up an accreditation scheme at the university where traders are sending staff to be trained in the job.

"Their role is not to allow people to consume to the point where they are drunk, but responsibility also falls with the individual."

Police are working in schools to get the message across to young people and through licensees under the Safer Bars Accreditation Scheme. Inspector Paul Howell from Essex Police, deals with substance misuse across the county.

He said: "We are looking at the night-time economy and dealing with any antisocial behaviour robustly.

"We are also working together with the Essex Drug and Alcohol Team to assist people who have identified they have a problem to find the best ways to help them.

"However, it doesn't matter whether you are male or female. If you are going to be drunk and commit antisocial behaviour you will be dealt with appropriately."