Underage drinkers in Bourton targeted by Council campaign

A campaign to combat the number of adults buying alcohol for underage drinkers on the Cotswolds' streets will hit Bourton-on-the-Water on Thursday May 7th.

The ‘Don't Buy for Under 18's' campaign, a joint venture between Cotswold District Council and Gloucestershire Constabulary, has so far been successful in Tetbury, Moreton-in-Marsh, Fairford, Lechlade and Cirencester. The Council is now extending the scheme to other parts of the Cotswolds in the summer of 2009.

Police from the local Safer Community Team will also be launching an alcohol testing kit, which is new to the Cotswolds and is funded by CDC. Sometimes alcohol is disguised by pouring it into bottles or cans labelled as soft drinks, and if officers suspect this is the case, the kit can be used to quickly detect if alcohol is present.

CDC's Community Safety team, the Police and PCSOs will all be on hand outside the Coop on Station Road in Bourton-On-the-Water on Thursday May 7th from 3pm-6pm. The aim of the afternoon is to raise awareness of the problem of adults buying alcoholic drinks on behalf of underage drinkers, and will highlight the dangers of underage drinking, health risks for teenagers and the penalties adults could face if caught.

‘Don't Buy for Under 18's' will also target retailers in Bourton, who will be encouraged to enforce the scheme through shelf-edge labels in stores, and posters and badges in shops.

Cllr Clive Bennett, the Council's Portfolio Holder for Safe and Strong Communities, said: "We are committed to tackling the problem of under age drinking and antisocial behaviour. Part of this is about highlighting the harm people can cause by buying alcohol for under 18s. We are also talking to retailers about the scheme and are asking them to help us by putting posters up. "

For further information or advice on any issue to do with underage drinking, please contact Cotswold District Council's Community Safety team on 01286 623000 or visit the website at www.cotswold.gov.uk

Source: Cotswold District Council