Harlow’s Conservative Councillors are at the forefront of a partnership against underage drinking in Harlow.
Launched in the Water Gardens Shopping Centre on 8th August, the partnership between Harlow Council, Essex County Council Trading Standards and Essex Police, supported by the Safer Harlow Partnership are cracking down on the illegal sale and consumption of alcohol by children and young people under 18, including adults who buy alcohol for them or to sell on to them.
This new initiative follows 18 months of work that has already resulted in several shops and supermarkets being cautioned, having their licences revoked or having additional conditions imposed. The focus is now on a new assault to target under-age drinking during this Summer and the following 6 months, until next April. Using a combination of education and test purchasing, the aim is to ensure under 18s are not able to obtain alcohol from off-sales premises.
Councillors and officials of the three organisations, the Safer Harlow Partnership and the local young Street Scene Champions were in the Water Gardens from 10am to 3pm, handing out information and raising awareness of the campaign. To help get the message home some of the alcohol confiscated so far made an impressive display, and drew a lot of attention from the crowds of shoppers when they began pouring some of this into a plastic tub, ready to be tipped away.
Councillor Nick Churchill, Chairman of Harlow Council’s Licensing Committee, said: "Underage drinking can lead to anti-social behaviour so that's why it’s important we work together to prevent illegal sales to young people. This campaign starts a new crack down against offending premises and alcohol will be taken from the hands of children in the street. We are sending a strong message that we won’t tolerate underage alcohol sales, underage drinking or buying alcohol for people under 18. Residents can help too. They have a big role to play in this crackdown because we need their information to help us take action.”
“Anyone who knows someone that sells alcohol to people underage or buys alcohol for children can report this anonymously to the “It’s Your Call” action line on 0845 605 2222. All calls will be treated in confidence.”
County Councillor Roger Walters, Executive Member for Trading Standards at Essex County Council said: “We are very pleased to be working alongside Harlow Council, Essex Police and the Safer Harlow Partnership on this campaign. We are keen to ensure that all licensed premises in Harlow are aware of the laws regarding the sale of alcohol. Underage drinking has a really negative effect on our communities, and we need the support of local shops in order to stop young people from having easy access to alcohol. We will not hesitate to take enforcement action against any shops which choose to ignore these warnings.”
The crackdown is being supported by the Ambulance Service that is also a member of the Safer Harlow Partnership. A spokeswoman for the East of England Ambulance Service, said: "Ambulance crews are often called out to under-age drinkers suffering from either the effects of alcohol - such as vomiting or passing out - or alcohol-related incidents like falls. Only on Sunday we were called out to an underage drinker in the Bush Fair area - she had to be taken to hospital because of alcohol.
"Aside from the legal aspects of under-age drinking, we would urge Harlow's young people to consider the strain this can put on local health services like the ambulances and Princess Alexandra Hospital, which are already in heavy demand. Highlighting the dangers of drinking at a young age, the fact that it's illegal, and its impact on the individual and others will hopefully make young people think twice about alcohol, and in the long-term help them be responsible about alcohol as adults”
