Call for drinking age to be raised to 21

A police chief has called for the legal drinking age to be raised to 21 to address the "scourge of anti-social behaviour" that blights many areas.

Peter Fahy, chief constable of Cheshire Police, said society needs to tackle the causes of an increase in underage drinking, alcohol-fuelled violence and vandalism.

The drinks industry was to blame for selling alcohol too cheaply, he said, as well as parents for failing to control their children.

"Every night of the week Cheshire officers...are engaged in a constant battle against anti-social behaviour and alcohol-induced violence," he said in a statement.

"Alcohol is too cheap and too readily available and is too strong.

"Most of the bad behaviour is fuelled by alcohol - much of it supplied by adults - including some parents.

"I know that a hardcore of parents turn a blind eye to the fact that their youngsters are out there, drinking underage and congregating in places where they cause nuisance."

Fahy, who was speaking out after three youths appeared in court charged with the murder of 47 year-old Garry Newlove.

Fahy also said the police should be given more powers to order young people back home if they were congregating on the streets.

Tony Payne, chief executive of Federation of Licensed Victuallers' Associations, said the issue was down to "parental responsibility". "In some instance parents are buying the alcohol for their children, which is a part of the problem," he said.

The pub trade has taken significant steps in recent years to address the problem of underage sales. In this year's Publican Market Report, 76 per cent said they now operated a Challenge 21 policy or similar.

Many in the pub trade are also concerned about the major supermarkets selling alcohol as a loss leader. The Publican has been running its own campaign Dump the Deals, calling for an end to such offers.