Off-licences join the fight against under-age drinking

4:37pm Tuesday 25th April 2006

OFF-LICENCES in Darlington have been signing up to a project to reduce anti-social behaviour.

The over-21 scheme is designed to cut the amount of alcohol being drunk by children, by preventing people aged 18 to 20 buying drink for younger children.

The project was piloted successfully in Cockerton and Branksome and now Darlington police, who have joined forces with The Northern Echo, want to expand it.

Twenty-nine off-licences have already signed up.

The newspaper will eventually publish a "roll of honour" listing every off-licence supporting the scheme.

Police believe people over the age of 18 regularly buy alcohol for younger children.

And there is evidence of a strong link between alcohol and anti-social behaviour in Darlington.

To tackle the problem, the police have asked off-licences to refuse to sell alcohol to youths aged 18 to 20 on Friday and Saturday nights.

The scheme is enforced at the discretion of shopkeepers, who will display posters bearing the Durham Constabulary logo and details of the scheme.

Mandip Singh Bains had a problem with large groups of youths hanging around outside his shop in North Road and intimidating older customers off.

He asked police if he could join the over-21 policy.

He said: "I would rather have a good reputation than make a tiny amount of money from selling a bottle of white cider for £1. I do not need the hassle.

"To start with, there was a bit of huffing and puffing; it took a while. But now all the lads in the area know about it, I do not get any trouble."

Inspector Sue Collingwood said: "We would encourage as many off-licences as possible to sign up. It shows that they are taking their responsibilities seriously.

"If the majority of the offlicences signed up, it is likely that it would reduce the antisocial behaviour across the town."

Inspector Collingwood said some off-licences feared the scheme would damage profits.

But she added: "If all the off-licences are strict, it stops young people hanging around outside the shop, which can encourage more customers who are over the age of 21."

Shops wanting to join the scheme are asked to call The Northern Echo on (01325) 505107.

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