Making a difference

(Date of issue: Wednesday, 28 January 2009)

Carlisle & Eden Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP) alongside partners including Cumbria Constabulary, Carlisle City Council and Eden District Council Licensing Departments and Cumbria County Council Trading Standards Officers took part in a Christmas alcohol misuse enforcement campaign which ran from 1 December to 1 January 2009. Aimed at influencing binge-drinking culture and under age alcohol consumption in Carlisle and Eden during the Christmas and New Year period.

As part of the initiative six Police Officers were trained in the National Certificate for Licensing Practitioners (giving them expert knowledge in the field of licensed premises management) and a further 20 Police Officers were given enhanced ‘Alcohol Brief Intervention’ training to help them deal with alcohol consumption issues among young people. ‘Alcohol Brief Intervention’ highlights alcohol as our cultural drug of choice, the difference between use and misuse, how alcohol affects people physiologically and psychologically and the impact it has on individuals, communities and particularly young people. The training is designed to help officers understand people’s relationship with alcohol and its effects and therefore make more effective interventions.

During the initiative multi-agency patrols involving police, licensing officers and Trading Standards targeted under age alcohol sales across both districts and alcohol sales to intoxicated individuals. Almost 50 'under cover' test purchases were carried out in licensed premises throughout both districts, and as a result five offences were reported. Additionally two offences relating to 'sales to intoxicated individuals' were also reported.

The initiative as allowed the Police to put out additional patrols, together with Trading Standards and the local authority licensing departments to focus more closely on the responsible selling of alcohol. The results show a real commitment by the CDRP to tackle the problem of young people being sold alcohol and the sale of alcohol to intoxicated individuals. These under cover operations will continue throughout 2009 and we will ensure that premises that flout the law and sell alcohol irresponsibly will be dealt with using the full raft of measures available from fixed penalty notices to prosecution, revocation of license and heavy fines where appropriate.

Quotes:

Mary Robinson Chair of Carlisle & Eden CDRP welcomed the initiative saying:

"partners are committed to working with other agencies to make a difference by addressing the issues that matter to our communities. This type of joint working provides real reassurance to local people of agency activities and available services that are aimed at tackling problems in their area and further embeds the message of respect."

Cllr Olwyn Luckley portfolio holder for Health and Communities said:

‘’joined up working of this type is about tackling issues affecting local communities. By working with the licensed trade, partners are able to build community confidence and work towards reducing crime and anti-social behaviour in that area."

North Cumbria Police Community Safety Inspector Adrian Sowerby said:

‘’ this type of joint working demonstrates that we are working hard to address local people’s concerns and reduce anti-social behaviour and the fear of crime. Another example of positive action taken with our partners to make the residents of Carlisle and Eden feel safe and secure. A testament to the hard work and dedication of all of the partners involved in helping to make Carlisle and Eden among the safest places to live in the country.’’

Cumbria County Councillor Alan Clarke, cabinet member with responsibility for Trading Standards, said:

" I'm delighted that agencies across the county can work together to improve communities. Trading Standards will continue to work with the other agencies across the county to minimise the risk of children getting alcohol and will continue with underage alcohol test purchasing exercises. However, we cannot reduce alcohol-related crime on its own and will continue to work in partnership with agencies in tackling this issue."