Community Alcohol Partnership News

Hayling Community Alcohol Partnership has now been launched

This Community Based Initiative works with all corners of the community helping to assist in reducing the consumption of alcohol in young people. the aim is to develop a culture where both adults and young people drink responsibly. The Community Alcohol Partnership (CAP) involves the Safer Havant Partnership, Police, Hampshire County Council Trading Standards, Accredited Community Safety Officers and Motiv8. This project had been successful in other areas with these agencies working closely with local schools, youth clubs, traders and local residents associations. Hayling Island has been chosen as one of two pilot schemes in Hampshire to trail the partnership, the other being the Borough Gosport. The Objectives of the Community Alcohol Partnership are:

• Reduce the general supply of alcohol to under 18s in particular proxy purchasing (adult buying for a young person) and to raise awareness of the dangers associated with this.

• Raise awareness and educate parents and young people of the consequences and risks associated with drinking alcohol irresponsibly.

• Develop a responsible retailing partner ethos in the CAP area for both Off Licences and Public Houses.

• Reduce and maintain low levels of alcohol related incidents by both adults & young people such as; violent crime, anti-social behaviour, criminal damage and litter.

• Increase NEET (Not in Education Employment or Training) referrals through this scheme and therefore reduce the risk of involvement in alcohol related crime.

The Project is spilt into three areas, Education, Enforcement and Public Perception.

Education is not only at school level, it includes the education of parents and traders.

Enforcement will only be looked at after the education route has been used.

Public Perception of the dangers of alcohol will change through the good work of the partnership.

There have been a number of successful initiatives in Hampshire around retail sales and test purchases from Trading Standards and the Police. The failure rate in Hampshire is 6-7%.

One successful campaign that has already taken place is the Anti-Social Behaviour campaign. This worked with young people (over and under 18 years of age) that were drinking alcohol in public places and becoming involved in anti social behaviour, vandalism and drink related litter. Whilst under age sales are not seen to be a major factor, proxy purchase and home supply and consumption have been highlighted as potentially significant local issues.

If you have any questions, run any youth activities on Hayling island or would like more information please contact PS 2999 James Noble via email: community.alcohol.partnership@hampshire.pnn.police.uk or call 101 and ask to leave him a message.