Wednesday 28th February 2007
(ref:
48/2007)
Young people and alcohol don’t mix!
That’s the message from Wigan Council and its partners who have created a new team to tackle the scourge of underage drinking and anti-social behaviour at source.
Trading Standards officers have teamed up with members of the council’s Anti-Social Behaviour Unit, Community Safety Team and Greater Manchester Police as part of a new task force that has the borough’s off licences firmly in its sights.
Chief Trading Standards Officer Alan Blundell explains:
“There is a strong link between alcohol and anti-social behaviour within our communities particularly when it comes to young people.
“This new group will be concentrating on how young people get access to alcohol and what can be done to prevent it.
“One major way that young people get alcohol is through off licences. It must be said that the vast majority of the borough’s off licences abide by the law and do all they can to prevent underage sales but there are a few with who we are still experiencing difficulties.”
The new Alcohol Partnership Group will concentrate on those off licences identified and will use a range of methods to try and reduce underage sales.
“The group has already conducted research into this problem and identified a number of problem areas in the borough where underage sales and anti-social behaviour are linked,” says Alan. “In one example we found that 90 per cent of an area’s incidences of anti-social behaviour were being committed within 500 metres of a particular off licence.
“The methods by which young people get hold of alcohol can be varied and can sometimes be beyond the control of the people working in the off licences.
“In some areas we have found that adults are going to into off licences to buy alcohol for children.”
Anyone caught buying alcohol for children could face prosecution and a fine of up to £5,000. Wigan’s Trading Standards Team is currently distributing leaflets to all off licences warning staff and customers of the potential pitfalls of doing this (pictured).
“In the past we have used such techniques as surveillance and test-purchasing with underage volunteers to good effect,” says Alan. “And we will continue to use these in the problem areas we have identified. Ultimately we have shown in the past that we are prepared to take legal action against those selling alcohol to children if the problems persist.”
Alan adds:
“We do not want to take a heavy-handed approach but to work with these businesses and offer them the help, advice and support they need to do the right thing.”
The group is also trying to help provide more meaningful activities for young people within their communities.
“We are also looking for another partner to join this group,” says Alan. “That is members of the community who are experiencing the problems of anti-social behaviour and underage sales. The most important way people can help is to let us know if an off licence near them is selling to children or if they know any adults who are buying alcohol for children.”
- Residents can report shops selling alcohol or adults buying it for children on 01942 827476.
