Parents told: Don't supply the drink

Calls have been made to the Police and Council about young people drinking alcohol or causing problems as a result of drinking during the past few months.

But test purchase operations carried out by the VAL show very few premises are selling alcohol to underage persons - and those who do are dealt with immediately.

Over the last four months test purchase operations have seen Police and Council licensing officers visit 28 premises, of which only three failed. 

Of those which did fail, two have been issued with fixed penalty notices, one of which was given advice, a second was put on an action plan and the third agreed to have conditions placed on its licence. All three premises will be kept supported to prevent further underage sales.

The VAL says that these results suggest that young people are obtaining alcoholic drinks from places other than shops – and in some cases this is from their parents.

Chair of the VAL, Chief Inspector Graham McLaughlin, says: “Everyone – parents, older relatives, members of the public as well as shopkeepers - has a responsibility in helping to reduce underage drinking and the many problems to which it can lead.

“Young people are being blamed for the issues, and while it is them drinking they are in effect being aided and abetted by adults. We hope that by reminding adults of their responsibilities we will impact on this issue.

“Adults seem to think that a drink now and again won’t hurt a young person, but it can have serious implications for their health and a dramatic impact on their behaviour, particularly when they are with others doing the same. Giving them alcohol also sends out the message that it is perfectly acceptable.

“Derbyshire is now seeing younger people than ever before developing serious illnesses as a result of drinking and has some under-18s who are alcohol dependent.”

Set up by the Community Safety Partnerships for the two areas, the VAL involves the Police, Trading Standards, Amber Valley Borough Council and Erewash Borough Council’s licensing departments, Fire & Rescue and the PCT.

It was set up 18 months ago in recognition of the fact that the consumption of alcohol is often connected with crime and anti-social behaviour. It has been responsible for a range of actions including the revocation of licences at off licence premises, conditions being placed upon off- licence premises and changes to the conditions on the licences of some public houses.