ACS

Moves to curb irresponsible drinking have led to a call for a 'revisit of existing solutions', particularly in preventing sales of alcohol to young people.

The call comes from LBRO (Local Better Regulation Office), the public body responsible for better local regulation, which conducted a study into preventing underage sales of alcohol.

The study, which involved five police forces and 11 local councils, highlighted a number of initiatives which were successful due to partnership working between the relevant organisations and in particular engaging businesses which see themselves as part of the community and want to be part of the solution.

LBRO Chairman Clive Grace said: "Recent announcements have focused on the availability of cheap alcohol but most people recognise that the problem of irresponsible drinking, and the resulting crime and antisocial behaviour is a wider and more complex social problem.

"While there is no single 'silver bullet' to cure these ills, we think these examples of best practice by local authorities and police forces are worth revisiting, and have important lessons that could be applied across the UK."

According to a TSI survey, over a quarter of 14 to 17-year-olds are able to purchase alcohol for themselves. Initiatives such as the ones identified in the study can lead to a reduction in anti-social behaviour and can make communities better places to live particularly on Friday and Saturday evenings. This is why LBRO is keen to take its work forward with local authorities to find the best ways to reduce the problem.