Had the multi-agency task force gone round at 2 or 3 in the morning I think they may have been confronted with more than a few raucous teenagers, to borrow Sarah Cliss's phrase.
Personally, I don't see the much-maligned teenager as the problem. OK, they indulge in some underage drinking in public places.
That could easily be combated if the police were to implement the law and have a zero tolerance policy.
When was t
he last time a retail licensed premises lost their licence, for instance, or someone was prosecuted for supplying alcohol to under 18s (including parents if necessary)?
I was astonished to read Steve Lucas of Drinksense say 'it's illegal but you have to accept young people are going to drink'.
What sort of message does that send to the would-be culprits? It is not these teenagers who go on the rampage and litter the area where we live with the unpleasant detritus of a 'good night out' – such as beer cans, bottles, glasses and leftover takeaways.
It is their over 18 contemporaries who are responsible for the real problem. Does the multi-agency group think all the broken shop windows around the town were caused by some alien force?
Until the police are prepared to use some of the substantial funds the tax payer makes available to them, in targeting late night premises at closing time, the problem will continue, in my view.
Licensees can't be expected to be responsible for the minority of their customers.
Reg Kemp,
Scargells Lane,
March.
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