Alcohol partnership set to visit '˜every off-licence' in run-up to Christmas

Organisers of the Community Alcohol Partnership – being piloted in Boston and aimed at tackling issues in the town – say they will be visiting the premises to give support, age-checking Challenge 25 stickers and flyers, plus an offer of a refusals register used to record a refusal to sell to a customer failing to confirm their age.

Andy Morrice, Boston’s Community Policing Inspector for Lincolnshire Police, said: “The Community Alcohol Partnership has hit the ground running.

“It will bring in schools to educate about the dangers and pitfalls associated with alcohol, provide training to all off-licences regarding conflict management for refusal of sales, and promote the Challenge 25 campaign.”

The county launch of Lincolnshire’s first CAP was held in Boston at The Stump.

Partners include the police, Boston Borough Council, public health departments, alcohol retailers, housing, youth services, AddAction and schools, with backing from retailers such as Tesco, Asda and the Co-op and independent retailers.

The campaign is targeted at under-25s.

The partnership includes people and organisations who can help keep young people out of trouble.

An enforcement arm of the partnership is also active with police, licensing and trading standards all working together where training and education has not been so successful.

As well as the above 
action, schools and youth workers will be engaged and those who buy alcohol for the under-aged will be targeted to increase awareness of risks, and there will be an aim to reduce anti-social behaviour among youths associated with alcohol consumption.

There will be increased activity in areas where alcohol-related litter accumulates.