Young drinkers to face Asbo action

Nov 6 2008 by Andrew Hirst, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Watch Manager Chris Bell from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “This inspiring project will look at accounts of incidents that have involved young people and alcohol.

“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.”

l Retailers from Batley and Dewsbury have attended a training programme to tackle the sale of alcohol to underage youngsters. The Responsible Retailer Scheme provides advice and support to licensees and shopkeepers about the law, dealing with antisocial behaviour and how to refuse to serve people.

The voluntary scheme is open to all retailers, but some attend after failing police undercover test purchase operations and selling to under 18s.

Retailers risk losing their licenses if they continue to flout the law.

Kirklees Safer Stronger Communities Service, West Yorkshire Police’s Licensing Department and West Yorkshire Trading Standards designed the three-hour training course.

It was first piloted in Huddersfield last year and has been rolled out across Kirklees since the summer.

Community Safety Officer Zak Lunat said: “The programme is suitable for any retailers who want to know more about the law and how to manage confrontational situations when dealing with customers. It is making a big difference.

“For those who are deliberately selling to people underage, our message is that you cannot escape the law for long. When the police see young people with alcohol they trace it back to the source.”