Underage drinkers to face a testing time from police in Bury

Date published: 16 March 2010

Police in Bury are using a new tool to help them in the crackdown on young people drinking alcohol on the streets.

Officers are using special alcohol detecting strips - which reveal the presence of alcohol when dipped into liquids - to stop young people concealing alcohol in soft drinks bottles.

The tests are being used by officers with the Bury East Neighbourhood Policing Teams on special patrols designed to curb under-age drinking and alcohol-fuelled anti-social behaviour in the Chesham area - where groups of up to 60 young people often gather and cause problems for local residents.

Officers automatically seize alcohol from under-age people found drinking on the streets, however, some young people try to avoid this by mixing spirits with soft drinks.

Inspector Charlotte Cadden of the Bury East NPT said: “Local residents in Bury East are raising concerns about youths drinking and congregating in large numbers in Chesham and this is our response.

“Many young people may see having a drink with their friends as a bit of fun but it is very often the root of anti-social behaviour such as noise nuisance and vandalism which can make the lives of people living in the vicinity an absolute misery.”

Inspector Cadden added: “It is also essential that the parents or guardians of the youngsters involved are made aware of their behaviour and take responsibility if their child is acting anti-socially. They will then be able to take steps to help their child act more responsibly which in turn will help us drive down disorder on the streets.”

To contact the Bury East NPT call 0161 856 8127 or email buryeast.npt@gmp.police.uk