WSTA: Use existing powers to stop underage drinking

By Ewan Turney

- Last updated on GMT

Related tags Underage drinking Police Wsta

Jeremy Beadles: Partnership approach can work
Jeremy Beadles: Partnership approach can work
The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has published an action plan to help communities tackle underage drinking based on enforcing existing powers and a partnership approach.

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has published an action plan to help communities tackle underage drinking.

The report, A New Way of Tackling Public Underage Drinking: Community Alcohol Partnerships​, encourages better use of existing powers to deal with underage drinking.

It also wants to see a partnership approach involving retailers, police, local authorities, secondary schools, youth clubs and the local press.

The WSTA believes this will combat underage drinking through the three pillars of education, enforcement and public perception.

A trial scheme in St. Neot's, Cambridgeshire led to a 42% drop in anti-social behaviour, 94% decrease in under-18s found with alcohol and a 92% decrease in alcohol-related litter at key hotspots.

The report has been submitted to the Government for consideration.

"This guide shows how a community approach can have a real impact in combatting underage drinking," said WSTA chief executive Jeremy Beadles.

"I urge Government and local enforcement agencies to support a scheme that delivers real results."

Nick Grant, chairman of the Retail of Alcohol Standards Group, said: "Our project in St. Neot's has been a great success. The fact is that retailers, local police, trading standards and schools working together can have a real impact in tackling underage drinking."

Related topics Legislation

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