Bracknell

Every year, as the evenings get lighter and summer approaches, we see an increase in under age drinking. The Bracknell neighbourhood policing team has had considerable success in tackling the problem through Operation Lion Cub. We regularly patrol anti-social behaviour hotspots, such as local parks, and confiscate alcohol from youngsters.

Each weekend, we visit at least two local Bracknell off-licences to ensure they are aware of their responsibility not to sell alcohol to under-eighteens. We carry out unannounced test purchases and recently took action against a local off licence that breached the regulations. However, most off licences are happy to work with the police and will contact us if they suspect a customer is buying alcohol on behalf of under age drinkers. We can seize the alcohol to prevent it getting into the hands of young people.

Under age drinking is not only the cause of Bracknell nuisance behaviour like loud noise and litter, but also leads to more serious problems. Drunkenness can result in mindless criminal damage and even worse, it can make youngsters vulnerable to accidental injury, assault and unsafe sexual activity.

I would like to appeal to parents in Bracknell Forest to work with the police in helping to keep their children safe. While acknowledging the importance of trust and good communication between parents and teenagers, we know that peer pressure can exert a very strong influence on this age group. Here are some simple tips, based on our experience of dealing with incidents involving youngsters.

• If you keep alcohol at home, check your supply regularly. Also check that the number of empty bottles and cans in your waste bin matches the amount you have drunk yourself: your children may have ‘borrowed’ some without your knowledge.

• Make a pact with the parents of your children’s friends to set clear, consistent parameters such as the time they should come home. Check that ‘sleepovers’ are actually happening by making contact with the people involved: no contact, no sleepover.

• Try to make sure the clothing they go out in is the clothing they come home in. Your child may set off wearing jeans and trainers, but if they are carrying a bag containing party clothes and make-up, they might have something else in mind than a quiet night at a friend’s house.

If you are aware of any Bracknell shops or off licences that are selling alcohol to under-eighteens, please speak to one of your neighbourhood officers or call us on 0845 8 505 505.

We are always trying to find new and better ways to communicate with people who live and work in Bracknell Forest. If you are involved in putting together a parish magazine, residents’ association newsletter, website or other community publication, please send your details to the Berkshire East Communications Team and we will email you copies of our press releases and other information relevant to your area.

BerkshireEastCommunicationsTeam@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk

Thames Valley Police ~ Bracknell