Cans and bottles tagged to curb underage drinking (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Cans and bottles tagged to curb underage drinking

2:37pm Monday 10th November 2008

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A NEW police initiative to track down people who buy alcohol for underage teenagers is being trialled in Cricklade and Purton.

Cans and bottles sold from off licences in the two towns will be marked with a unique code.

Police officers who seize any alcohol from minors can then use the code to trace it back to the point of sale and hopefully identify the outlet where it was sold and the offender through CCTV footage.

The Neighbourhood Policing Teams are working with North Wiltshire District Council for the initiative, which if successful, could see similar measures introduced across the district.

Sgt Martin Alvis said, "Parents have a key role to play in keeping their children safe and out of mischief. They need to know where they are and what they are getting up to, especially during the Christmas holidays.

"They need to be aware of the dangers that their children are being exposed to when engaged in underage drinking.

"They are at much greater risk of being involved in accidents or assaults or being caught up in other criminality."

It is a crime for any person, other than the parent or legal guardian, to supply alcohol to a person under 18. The maximum penalty for this offence is a £5000 fine and/or six months imprisonment.

Ray SANDERSON portfolio holder for Community Safety at North Wiltshire District Council, said, "We regularly receive complaints about youths causing annoyance when alcohol has been consumed. The Council is committed to working in partnership with the Wiltshire Police on this issue."

Sgt Alvis added: "The ongoing operation will have a direct impact in helping tackle the issue of how easy young people can buy alcohol."

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