Shock rise in teen drinking
THE number of children committing drink-related crime in the Westcountry has doubled in four years, new figures show.
Almost 2,500 children in Devon, Cornwall, Dorset and Somerset have been fined, cautioned or taken to court for abusing alcohol between 2003 and 2007.
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Drink-related crime among Westcountry children is soaring. Photo posed by model
Critics said that the numbers were increasing by "leaps and bounds" while the Government failed to tackle the problem.
The record figures come after the Chief Medical Officer warned earlier this month that parents who had a "laissez-faire" attitude to their children's drinking were putting them at risk.
Sir Liam Donaldson said people who allowed their teenagers to drink alcohol with their friends could be storing up problems while middle-class families who diluted their children's wine may also be misguided.
He said there was a need to challenge the stereotype of "the drunk as a hero" and pointed to self-confessed alcoholic footballers Paul Gascoigne and George Best.
According to official police figures, the number of 13 to 15-year-olds caught drunk by officers in Devon and Cornwall almost doubled from 40 to 78 in the four years to 2007. There was a similar increase in the Avon and Somerset forces area.
Of all children aged from 10 to 17, there was a rise of almost two-thirds across the two forces. Cautions against drunk children rose by 50 per cent in Devon and Cornwall. No on-the-spot fines were handed out in 2004 but by 2007, almost 100 were issued.
Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne said: "These figures paint a shocking picture of how many children are being dragged into the criminal justice system through alcohol abuse.
"The problem appears to be growing worse by leaps and bounds. Ministers talk a lot about the alcohol crisis in this country but have failed to tackle it.
"Unless we change our drinking culture, we will condemn many children and adolescents to serious long-term alcohol-related illnesses or a life of crime.
"We must put an end to alcohol being sold at pocket-money prices and start educating our children about the dangers of drink or these figures will continue to get worse."
Offences included being drunk and disorderly, drink-driving and selling alcohol to other children.
A Home Office spokesman said: "We are determined to reduce under-age drinking through effective education and tough enforcement."
Nationally, more than 6,000 children aged 10 to 15 were handed police cautions or taken to court for abusing alcohol in the four-year period.
Sir Liam warned that parents should avoid exposing youngsters to "alcohol-fuelled environments" or family events where drinking was the central activity.
Yet parents could show their children that – if alcohol was drunk at home – it was consumed in a "positive" setting such as a family meal.
He added that one of the risk factors for children drinking was parents having a "laissez-faire approach to a child drinking or getting drunk".
Don Shenker, chief executive of Alcohol Concern, said: "Drinking among young people is a major concern for parents, many of whom have previously had no clear guidance on how to approach what can be a sensitive issue."
28 Comments
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by Theo H, Lifton
Thursday, December 31 2009, 1:02PM
“The kids should all smoke dope or take "E".
Then no trouble.”
by dave grylls, Kingsteignton
Wednesday, December 30 2009, 9:54PM
“I am with you all the way Charles Henry. There is a total breakdown of the family unit and discipline throughout.
Sadly encouraged by this pathetic government.”
by dave grylls, Kingsteignton
Wednesday, December 30 2009, 9:49PM
“Popski Stafford.
It is not time for negative assumptions,it is decidely more serious and needs immediate action”
by Keith, Redruth
Wednesday, December 30 2009, 7:40PM
“Shocked you were really ?
All the time the government are collecting VAT why should they care,police just make a token jesture & clamp down for a while,shop keepers turn a blind eye.& you are shocked.
Why in the USA don't they have this problem,you find out.But I expect you will choose to bury your heads in the sand.”
by Reg, Pt
Wednesday, December 30 2009, 3:05PM
“It's now about time we have a period of compulsory sterilisation and chemical castration. I agree fully with Kim, Notts - parents should take a greater responsibility for NOT encouraging their ferrel youngsters; quite the opposite. Parents should be hit hard in the pockets by way of fines and, such should increase if there is repitition. 3 strikes and you are out - send 'em to jail both parents and the ferrels. But then, we suffer cos' we are paying the taxes which fund such. How about the "Stocks" for the ferrels and the parents at every town square. Would be a start.”
by KIm Allcock, Nottinghamshire
Wednesday, December 30 2009, 1:00PM
“I run a licensed bar at a function hall in our town community Room.Personaly i sick and tired of getting agrivation from parents and their children when they are trying to buy them lager and the like as young as 13 in some cases.thats after we are very vigilant on id.also spotting adults hiding alcohol so its not seen.Then when the 16 year olds are with their parents and youv spotted it get verbal from the kids as well as parents.As personal licence holders who are keen to keep our licence have a challenge every time we open up.Some parents dont care what their kids are doing at night and arent about to care because they are in the pubs themselves getting drunk.Like some of the comments attitude and behavior comes from the parents.This doesnt aply to all parents i hasten to add”
by Freethinker, Cornwall
Wednesday, December 30 2009, 12:32PM
“The alcohol industry and government go hand in hand. The revenue stream created by the alcohol industry to government through licences and tax is immense. The UK alcohol industry is worth £30bn a year + the drink industry keeps loads of people in employed and keeps charities & hospitals busy with the outcome of alcoholism, drink companies are determined to retain their freedoms by acting responsibley towards their customers/drinkers. That's why the Portman Group was set-up by the alcohol industry to promote safe drinking. Its just a shame you can't see the "drink sensibly" message on the bottle. Keep the print very small, so the drinker does'nt realise it. At least the alcohol industry can say its doing something positive for the health of the people of the UK. Freethinker”
by Spooks, St Ives
Wednesday, December 30 2009, 10:45AM
“Ironically mankind has spent millennia worrying about the end of the world. When the imminent apocalypse comes in 2012 I think it will now come as a blessed relief for most of us!”
by Allan, Brasil
Wednesday, December 30 2009, 10:36AM
“Cant help thinking the massive theft by the government on taxs on alcohol they are willing to accept the problems with it.After all they will not introduce zero tolerance with D.D. will they?Alcohol,drugs,weapons and violence need one go on with crumbling U.K.”
by Popski, Stafford.
Tuesday, December 29 2009, 9:37PM
“Might it be something to do with the loss of hope for a meaningful future whilst seeing our 'leaders' plundering state funds willy-nilly to feather their own and various other family members' nests ?”