Underage drinkers caught out in Kirklees are soon to be given two choices: attend a course on the impacts of alcohol, or face an ASBO.
From Friday (7/11) officers from Huddersfield NPT will be targeting areas that are known to suffer from anti-social and nuisance behaviour caused by underage drinkers. Officers will also be carrying out high-profile visits to local pubs and clubs and taking action against both underage drinkers and any licensees serving them.
Any under-18′s caught drinking in the streets will be taken home to their parents and offered the opportunity to go on the alcohol impact course. Those that refuse will be dealt with via more formal methods and face being arrested or subject to an Anti-Social Behaviour Order.
The alcohol impact course, the first of which is expected to run in mid-December, will involve police and partners from the NHS Primary Care Trust, Fire Service and Council agencies such as Kirklees Safer Stronger Communities, Licensing and Youth Workers.
Sgt Adrian Waugh of Huddersfield Police, who is organising the courses said: "Anti-social and nuisance behaviour caused by underage drinkers can cause considerable upset and concern in communities. We are determined to respond to peoples’ concerns and take positive action to tackle the issue."
"We see these courses as a good way of trying to educate young people against the dangers of alcohol. We want people to hear first-hand from experts about the effects alcohol can have on people and places."
Inspector Dave Glover who runs the licensing team across Kirklees said: "Whilst I am responsible for enforcement I welcome the opportunity to educate local children on the dangers of alcohol. I see the scheme as a natural fit in our efforts to deal with alcohol related anti social behaviour and in preventing children becoming a victim as a result of being under the effects of alcohol. "
"My team and other members of the Neighbourhood Policing Teams will be out and about this weekend and in the run up to Christmas seizing alcohol and obtaining details of those children with alcohol to make referrals on to the scheme. I will also be increasing test purchase operations on both off and on licences and any offenders under the age of 18 years will be referred to the scheme regardless of whether they are prosecuted or not."
Cllr Khizar Iqbal, Kirklees Council’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder For Safer and Stronger Communities, said: "I welcome these new measures to tackle alcohol-related anti-social behaviour. Agencies are working together to promote a responsible attitude to alcohol and minimise the harmful effects of excessive drinking so that Kirklees residents are safer and healthier."
Watch Manager Chris Bell of West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service added: "West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service are proud to be involved in such an inspiring project. The course will look at accounts of incidents that have involved young people and alcohol in the area with devastating effects. We will discuss ways that they can avoid getting into dangerous situations which could result in them becoming a casualty or causing an accident.”
“The courses are about getting young people thinking and making informed decisions which could prevent accidents happening in the first place.”
West Yorkshire Police