Last orders for street drinking

Young people in the borough seem to be getting the message that street drinking isn’t a smart move.

New figures released by the police show a 60 per cent drop in the amount of alcohol seized during regular weekend operations to tackle underage drinking.

Working with the Council and other agencies as part of the borough’s Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership, officers have confiscated 802 containers (cans or bottles) of alcohol during special weekend operations at known trouble spots since April. During the same period last year the haul was 2,028 containers.

“These are encouraging figures,” said Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, Safer Communities and Youth Councillor Sue Murphy, “and are reflected by the decreasing number of calls to police to report street drinking in St Helens.”

Agencies are also tackling the problem at source. Test purchases by Trading Standards officers revealed that just four of the 48 businesses tested handed over alcohol to youngsters. Those who failed received an £80 fixed penalty notice for disorder. Trading Standards officers are investigating further in pursuit of a criminal prosecution.

Running alongside the enforcement activity is an ongoing operation to ensure vulnerable young people are removed from danger or situations where they may potentially become involved in anti-social behaviour.

Over the last three months around 50 young people – believed to be at risk- have been taken off the streets and taken to a place of safety by police, social workers and the Council’s Youth Service Team.