Brown urged to consider under 21 booze ban

Gordon Brown has been urged to consider plans to ban under 21s from buying alcohol in off licenses to try and combat rising alcohol related violence.

The Prime Minister has received the advice from Merseyside chief constable, Bernard Hogan-Howe.

The relative cost of alcohol has come down whilst the number of off-licence points of sale has increased significantly.​Merseyside chief constable, Bernard Hogan-Howe.

Hogan-Howe said: "My suggestions are to restrict the sale of alcohol to young people through off-licences and to come down hard on adults who go into off-licences to buy alcohol and hand it over to youngsters in the street."​

"The relative cost of alcohol has come down whilst the number of off-licence points of sale has increased significantly.

"There is no longer a test to see whether an area 'needs' a new off-licence. The control of the sale of alcohol is then left in the hands of young and low paid staff.

"I have also suggested reducing the points of sale, increasing prices and allowing home deliveries only during the day."

Under the plans 18-21s would still be allowed to drink in pubs clubs and restaurants.

Bar Entertainment and Dance Association executive director Paul Smith said: "We don't believe that upping the age to 21 is a good idea for the on or off-trade.​

"I think that the government undoubtedly has very real frustrations with the off trade at the moment, not least on the issue of pricing - even leaving the issue of proxy purchasing aside. But we would strongly suggest that all that would happen is that if 21 is adopted in the off trade, it is only a matter of time before pressure is placed on the Government to harmonise the alcohol sales age up to 21."