Majority back raising drinking age

Community wardens are out looking for children drinking in the streets. And they are not hard to find.

Each week piles of cans, bottles and spirits are seized. This is a thriving black market in underage booze fuelled by parents, siblings and older friends.

Momentum is building for a change in the law. After Gary Newlove was killed confronting youths outside his home the Chief Constable of Cheshire spoke out, calling for tougher alcohol controls.

Channel 4 News commissioned a survey; 1,000 adults were asked if they agreed with the police.

At Newcastle crown court yesterday there was another trial involving drunken teenagers. This time a man was attacked and kicked into a coma. When sentencing the judge said: "Youngsters who drink too much will face punitive action."

There is now pressure from the police and the judiciary. And the survey suggests most people want action too - but by raising the age limit, not the prices.

Share this article

Send this article to a friend »

• Del.icio.us
• Digg
• Reddit
• Facebook
• StumbleUpon

What are these?