Pubs not the problem says police chief
The police chief who has called for the legal drinking age to be raised from 18 to 21 says pubs are not to blame - supermarkets and late-night shops are the problem.
Cheshire Chief Constable Peter Fahy said the availability of cheap alcohol was fuelling a wave of violence and disorder across the country.
I don't think it's an issue of licensing hours, we are seeing much better control of pubs and clubs. The problem now really is the supermarkets, late-night shops and petrol stationsCheshire Chief Constable Peter Fahy.
However, he said extended licensing hours in pubs was not the problem and put the blame firmly at the door of shops, supermarkets and petrol stations which sell alcohol.
Fahy told the BBC's Radio 4 Today programme: "I don't think it's an issue of licensing hours, we are seeing much better control of pubs and clubs.
"The problem now really is the supermarkets, late-night shops and petrol stations.
"We've got much better control of pubs and clubs - what I'm concerned about is these large groups gathering in parks all drinking."
Fahy said he "absolutely" believed the UK's legal drinking age should be raised
"We are doing everything we can, within our resources and powers, but it is not enough," he said.
But his call to raise the drinking age was dismissed by Government minister Meg Hillier - also speaking on the Today programme.
Fahy was speaking after the murder of Garry Newlove, 47, who died after approaching a group of youths in Warrington, Cheshire.
His call comes just 24 hours after the ALMR revealed figures which showed supermarkets sold £112million pounds worth of booze below cost during the World Cup last year.
To see the ALMR story click here.
