ACS

London Mayor, Boris Johnson, is backing a scheme which would see off-licences stop selling alcohol to anyone under 21.

The scheme will work on a voluntary basis and is expected to start in Croydon before being rolled out across London.

Mr Johnson said: "I do think that we have got a huge problem with binge drinking, underage drinking and general abuse of alcohol in this city, and I certainly think that this idea is a very interesting one. Where we have got particular problems in particular areas, off-licences and supermarkets should stop the sale of alcohol to the under-21s. That is the kind of solution that I think Londoners are looking to us to provide. I do think this is something where the boroughs can take a lead and banish the scourge of binge drinking."

Announcing the plan for a ban on sales to under-21s, Croydon councillor Steve O'Connell, who is also a member of the Greater London Assembly, said: "What we want to tackle is the corner shops that are selling eight cans of Stella for a fiver because it can lead to young people then getting involved in anti-social behaviour. It will require a cultural shift and it would affect their profit margins, but it would stop some violent incidents taking place and, after Croydon, I would like to see this applied across London."

James Lowman, ACS Chief Executive said: “We feel that this measure is disproportionate and ultimately a knee jerk reaction that will not effectively target the problems identified. Off-licences alone cannot be allocated sole blame of any alcohol-related problems experienced in Croydon and other London boroughs, and it is unhelpful and unfair to focus on only one part of the industry. We need to look at promoting more partnership working, as well as seeing what more can be done with parents and young people themselves. “