POLICE officers carried out a successful operation to crack down on under-age drinkers during the recent school half-term. Officers from Liphook's safer neighbourhood team were on patrol to confiscate alcohol from anyone under 18, as part of a national Home Office campaign during the school holiday, from February 15-24. They were joined by officers working across East Hampshire. In total they confiscated more than 70 litres of beer, more than 11 litres of alco pops, more than four litres of spirits and four litres of wine. Police were aiming to reduce the levels of alcohol- related crime and disorder through utilising the powers contained within the Confiscation of Alcohol through the Young Persons Act 1997, and the dispersal power under section 27 of the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006. Officers also used the opportunity to gather information regarding the young people's ability to access alcohol locally, in order that follow-up enquiries could be made with any identified licensed premises through adults or parents. It is an offence for adults to buy alcohol for under 18s, they could receive an £80 fixed penalty notice or end up in court and fined up to £5,000. Sgt Phil Shore, of Whitehill police station, said: "All of our Safer Neighbourhood Teams were working hard throughout the week to crack down on under- age drinkers. "The operation was extremely successful and sent out a clear message that underage drinking will not be tolerated. "It is important to remind adults that it is an offence to supply under 18s with alcohol." Professor John Newton, NHS South Central's regional director of public health, added: "Under- age drinking is a real concern for the NHS. "The damage that drinking causes at such a young age is a tragedy and can easily be under estimated by the young people concerned. "What is also concerning is that more and more children aged 16 and under are drinking and being admitted to hospital as a result." Under age drinking also raises concerns in other aspects, not just anti-social behaviour. it can lead to higher promiscuity, poor health, injuries sustained through accidents and assaults and in some cases death. Hampshire Constabulary, NHS South Central and Thames Valley Police joined forces in a ground- breaking, year-long campaign aimed at highlighting the risks associated with alcohol consumption, last May.
