Police purge on boozers

11:10am Friday 18th July 2008

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UNDER-AGE boozers in Mid Devon are being targeted by police as part of a summer holiday sting to tackle rising levels of drunken disorder.

Officers from the Devon and Cornwall force are today (Friday), launching a week-long operation aiming to reassure the community and seize alcohol from young drinkers.

The constabulary says though the number of violent offences committed on licensed premises was down last year in Devon, the county saw an overall rise in disorder and violence committed by people under the influence of alcohol and other substances.

Ch Supt Jo Tennant, police commander for Devon, said: "There’s a clear link between excessive drinking, violent crime and anti-social behaviour.

"All too often both offenders and victims have consumed excessive amounts of alcohol.

"There’s a need for the police, parents, the wider community and partner agencies to work together to address this issue.

"This links to the evidence and wider concerns that intoxicated people may often become victims of crime, particularly females in respect of sexual off-ences."

The campaign will include a range of initiatives aimed at providing community reassurance and carrying out enforcement.

Measures include high-visibility patrols, liaison with licensed premises, such as pubs and supermarkets, and seizure of alcohol from under-age drinkers.

The campaign has been designed to coincide with the start of the school summer holiday period in Devon when the county historically sees an increase in violent offences and anti-social behaviour.

The Devon Youth Service is providing a range of activities throughout the summer, which have been marketed in local schools and are priced to include those on low incomes.