LOCAL police plan to focus on the Forest Shopping Centre and other potential trouble spots in the area as part of a Hampshire-wide initiative to crack down on alcohol-related crimes. The operation, which began on Tuesday, saw Hampshire Constabulary join police forces across the country to take part in the Home Office's third Alcohol Misuse Enforcement Campaign (AMEC). Now revellers across Hampshire are being warned not to fall foul of a police crackdown on alcohol-related crime and disorder in the run-up to Christmas, with local police targeting places such as the shopping centre and the High Street. Sergeant David Pugh said: "We are going to be present in and around the Forest Shopping Centre as there are often alcohol-related nuisances caused by youths in that area. "We are hoping to have extra officers at key times over the Christmas period throughout the town, but with a particular focus on the shopping area." Inspector Gerry Thorne added: "We have identified a number of areas from where we believe that the violence emanates, usually where there is a large congregation of people. "We have to look at a wider area as well, for example, the High Street area in Bordon, outside the Oasis nightclub and in the vicinity of the kebab van. But we will also look at places such as Liphook Square and the High Street in Petersfield. Those tend to be the places where such trouble occurs." During the six-week initiative, police will work with trading standards to carryout enforcement visits, test purchasing and undercover operations to ensure off licence and pub staff are not selling alcohol to children or people who are already drunk. A poster campaign will also target bar staff and remind them that they could face an £80 fine if they break the law and serve people who are drunk or under 18. Since April 1, Hampshire Constabulary has carried out 40 test purchases in pubs and bars across the two counties and on 24 occasions the children who volunteered to take part were served alcohol. As part of the force's "safer streets: campaign, high-visibility police patrols will use £80 fines to target people who are drunk and disorderly, as well as those who vomit or urinate in public. When people are arrested for being drunk and disorderly, they will also be asked where they bought their alcohol to help police build up intelligence about premises which are serving drunks. Officers will confiscate alcohol from children and people drinking alcohol in designated no-drinking areas. The Forest Centre Business Association gave its backing to the efforts of Whitehill Police. "We support the police in any effort they make to improve the local environment. It is important to keep the centre as an attractive place to shop. If there is a problem that needs to be addressed by police, then we at the association certainly support them," said Derek Seale, the association's chairman. The head of community safety, Chief Superintendent Matthew Greening, said: "All too often people make themselves vulnerable by drinking to excess. "People who are drunk are less aware of their surroundings and are less likely to notice dangerous situations. They are also more likely to get into arguments, which can easily escalate into fights. "We always take alcohol-related crime seriously, but during the run-up to Christmas, we will be carrying out extra patrols and enforcement visits to ensure that everyone can enjoy the festive period safely. "We want people to have a good time at Christmas and we understand people will be in high spirits, but we need everyone to think about their own safety and also how their drunken behaviour could affect others. "We are hoping that issuing £80 fines will help to deter anti-social behaviour, but people should remember that if they become very drunk and put themselves into dangerous situations, they could end up with much worse than a fine and a hangover." However, one local publican was less than impressed by the way the police have tackled the issue. Mike Salczynski, the landlord of The Prince of Wales pub, said: "The police are highly visible now, but they don't do anything. "It wouldn't be such a huge problem now if people were stopped from going to the pubs and clubs when they are already too drunk. "The police also need to stop the youngsters drinking in the streets, which happens every Friday and very close to the police station. It appears that the police see them there but just look and drive past. "As for allowing people to go into the pubs when they have obviously had enough to drink, the police are just not pro-active and they only take action when it suits." When asked about his opening hours during the festive period, Mr Salczynski said that he would not actually open on Christmas Day or Boxing Day as a matter of respect. He added: "It is a time for families and it is a religious festival. I am not religious myself,but we should at least try to respect it. If people are that desperate for a drink then that is their problem." From December, radio advertising is also being used to remind people that if they drink too much, there could be far-reaching consquences to their actions.
