Villages picked to pilot new crackdown on underage drinking

Doncaster Council’s public health team has recruited local retailers, licensees, police and education providers in its latest attempt to crackdown on the problem.

So-called Community Alcohol Partnerships have already enjoyed success in 80 areas in the country, decreasing anti-social behaviour and litter.

Other councils in Yorkshire have also adopted the scheme, which places more emphasis on the responsibilities of those who sell alcohol and also involves trading standards officers.

In Cambridgeshire, the first place to roll out the scheme, anti-social behaviour has fallen by 42 per cent and there has also been 90 per cent decrease in the number of under-18’s found in possession of alcohol.

It is hoped the partnership will enjoy similar success in the villages of Askern, Norton and Campsall when it is introduced this month.

Coun Joe Blackham, the council’s cabinet member for neighbourhoods, said: “Partnerships have been very effective at tackling underage drinking, and I believe that it can be just as effective here.

“I am confident that, through working with our partners and local stakeholders, we can go even further to tackling anti-social behaviour in that area.”

If the scheme in the three villages proves a success it could be rolled out across the whole of Doncaster.

Derek Lewis, chairman of Community Alcohol Partnerships, said: “Locally tailored partnerships, that recognise that retailers and licensees are an important part of the solution, drive down harm.”