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Project to curb underage drinking launches

Published:  24 November, 2008

A pioneering project to curb underage alcohol sales and combat associated anti-social behaviour is launching in Kent.

A pioneering project to curb underage alcohol sales and combat associated anti-social behaviour is launching in Kent.

The Kent Community Alcohol Partnership (KCAP) will bring together local authorities, alcohol retailers, police and health authorities to cut underage alcohol sales and improve the health and education of young people in relation to alcohol.

Three target areas have been selected to pilot KCAP before it is rolled out throughout the county - Canterbury City Centre, an urban estate in Thanet and the suburb of Edenbridge.

The project is being backed by the Retail of Alcohol Standards Group (RASG) and Kent County Council and follows successful roll-out of the project model in Cambridgeshire.

The launch in Kent coincides with the publication of a toolkit by RASG designed to help front-line practitioners develop Community Alcohol Partnerships (CAPS) in their own area. The toolkit has a foreword by Home Office Minister Alan Campbell MP, endorsing the scheme.

The guide includes model letters, leaflets and case studies that can be adapted for use by local CAPs to help them introduce partnership working in a cost effective way and ensure support across the community.

Nick Grant, chairman of RASG, said: "Experience shows that collaboration can help tackle underage drinking and KCAP takes it to the next level, involving local health authorities for the first time to address the health impact of alcohol consumption by young people. We're delighted to be involved in this partnership and look forward to working together to curb underage alcohol sales and possession."

Home Office Minister Alan Campbell added: "Government, police and industry have delivered some real progress in working together to tackle alcohol related crime and disorder - the failure rate for persistent test purchases has fallen from 34% to 15% since the end of 2006.

"That is why I fully support the Kent Community Alcohol Partnership (KCAP) bringing together local authorities, alcohol retailers, police and health authorities to drive down underage alcohol sales and possession, and improve the health and education of young people in relation to drinking alcohol.

"We need to ensure that all licensed premises comply with the law, and the Community Alcohol Partnership toolkit will help ensure that retailers stay on the right track."

Last year in Kent 6,046 people were arrested for alcohol related offences, over 400 of which were young people.

Earlier this month, The Community Alcohol Partnership scheme won an award for best initiative at this year's Responsible Drinks Retailing Awards.

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