Partners Renew 'No Booze For Kids' Campaign
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Partners Renew 'No Booze For Kids' Campaign |
Sidcup Cluster Safer Neighbourhoods Policing teams have worked with the London Borough of Bexley to launch the next phase in their ‘No Booze For Kids Campaign’ originally piloted in Blendon & Penhill Ward.
It was launched earlier this month at the Premier Off Licence, 242 Sherwood Park Avenue, Sidcup, with the help of the licensee, Mr Ram Patel.
Special ultra violet (UV) stickers are being applied to all ‘youth-popular’ alcohol products sold at shops in Sidcup which do not have identifiable carrier bags, to enable police to identify the point of sale of alcohol seized from underage drinkers in the street. Replacing the coloured carrier bags that were used when the scheme was first tried is more cost-effective and environmentally friendly. The cost savings have made it possible for the project to run over the whole of Sidcup.
London Borough of Bexley is providing the stickers and applicator guns at no charge to the off licences taking part in the scheme.
"We are happy to support anything that helps stop underage drinking and think that the labels are a great idea," said Mr Patel at the launch.
Cllr Katie Perrior, Bexley's Cabinet member for Community Affairs added: "The switch to UV stickers has made the scheme even better and I hope this new method is a success. Underage drinking is bad for young people and bad for the community, so I am pleased we have joined with our partners in another effort to keep it in check. The London Borough of Bexley takes underage drinking very seriously."
The original scheme devised by Sergeant Roy Kitchener of Blendon and Penhill ward using coloured carried bags in the run-up to last Christmas, proved highly successful in reducing alcohol seizures and incidents of drunken behaviour by youths. It came about as the result of an effective partnership between the shops, police and the licensees.
As part of the latest initiative, licensees have been reminded of the Code of Conduct on the sale of alcohol to juveniles and adults suspected of buying alcohol for others who are under age. This emphasises the importance of challenging all customers under the age of 21 and refusing to sell alcohol to anyone not in possession of suitable identification. Shop staff have been asked to report any attempts to buy alcohol that they refuse to the police.
Every shop in the ward that sells alcohol has been provided with a poster to display and special under 21 packs, which include a supply of application forms for PASS ID cards.
"We strongly believe that this a really worthwhile scheme for all conscientious licensees to get involved with," says Sergeant Roy Kitchener of the Blendon & Penhill Safer Neighbourhoods Policing Team. "Officers in the ward are available to give as much guidance and support as required."
The new stickers and all the other local initiatives that are underway to reduce underage drinking, help to promote the borough's licensing objectives, under which every licensed premises is granted its licence, which are -
- The prevention of crime and disorder
- Public safety
- The prevention of public nuisance
- The protection of children from harm.
To contact the Blendon & Penhill Safer Neighbourhood Policing team please call Sergeant Kitchener on 020 8721 2503, or email Blendon.Penhill.SNT@met.police.uk
