ACS

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) the campaigning voice of over 33,000 local shops, has welcomed a police crackdown over the February half-term that resulted in the confiscation of over 44,000 pints or 25,000 litres of alcoholic drinks from underage drinkers. The £760,000 Home Office-funded campaign took place from 8-24 February 2008 in 165 police force areas across 39 forces in England and Wales. It was the largest ever enforcement operation of its kind, and alcohol was seized from more than 5,000 youths. The Home Office has said information from the operation will help target individuals and trouble spots.

ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said; “ACS supports this confiscation operation because at last Police time has been dedicated to tackling underage drinkers themselves. We believe that measures such as these show to underage drinkers that there are consequences to their actions. But we need more enforcement against those buying alcohol when underage or proxy purchasing on their behalf.”