Booze Seized In Crackdown

18 February 2012, 10:30 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

Police have seized more than 125 litres of alcohol in a crackdown on teen drinking in West Denton.

The Newcastle North Neighbourhood Policing team seized the booze from under 18s over two months from the start of November.

The haul includes 12 litres of 'sparkling perry' wine, 20 litres of cider and dozens of cans of beer and lager.

The work - which has also seen recent changes in the law around alcohol enforced - has been combined with work with partner agencies and the community, including young people, to reduce incidents of anti-social behaviour in the area.

The activity has mainly taken place at West Denton Way and the surrounding streets following complaints from local residents about street drinking and anti-social behaviour.

Community Support Officer Kevin Downey, who is pictured with the seized alcohol, said:
"Seizing alcohol is only one part of the work that goes on in this area to reduce street drinking and youth disorder.

It's only ever a small proportion of young people who come to our attention for this sort of behaviour and we work closely with partner agencies and the community to deal with these youngsters appropriately and divert them from this sort of activity."

The work has included the enforcement of laws around alcohol, which now means if someone under 18 is caught with alcohol in a public place three times or more in a year it is a criminal offence.

Police will seize the alcohol from them and record their details while also informing their parents or carers, and, if appropriate, putting the young people in touch with support to help them.