Police warning message to young drinkers written up in lights

Mar 14 2009 by Alastair Craig, The Journal

During Operation Staysafe, which is part of a national operation, young people found drinking in public were taken home by the police and their parents warned to control their children.

Where alcohol is identified as an issue, help and treatment will be offered as part of a long term approach to solving the problem.

Youth workers will also be on hand to point out alternative pastimes for youngsters to get involved in. The police operation has the full support of Balance, the North East Alcohol Office, recently established to tackle the problems associated with the region’s heavy drinking culture.

Dave Hogg, the crime and disorder programme manager for Balance, said: “The Staysafe operation is a positive response to the rising problem posed by young people binge drinking. While statistics show that fewer young people are drinking, the evidence reveals that those that do are drinking more.

“I know that alcohol plays a big role in the majority of cases that the police deal with, particularly at weekends and that excessive drinking can turn ordinary people into criminals or victims of crime, particularly violent crime. Young people are especially vulnerable so this kind of initiative is particularly important.”

The police action is part of the national Operation Staysafe initiative, a key part of the £100m cross-government Youth Crime Action Plan launched in July 2008.

This operation is supported by the Tackling Violent Crime Programme coordinated by Government Office North East. Balance, the North East Alcohol Office, is a first in the UK, established to tackle the issues associated with the heavy drinking culture in North East England. The initiative – supported by the region’s NHS primary care trusts, local authorities and three police forces – aims to take a coordinated approach to alcohol and the many problems associated with its misuse.