Tough talk on underage drinking
Updated on 01 June 2008
Proposals to tackle underage drinking in England have been criticised for criminalising those most in need, Jane Dodge reports.
Young and drunk means trouble according to the government. Research suggests teenagers who binge-drink are twice as likely to commit a crime than those who don't. So the government is getting tough with those who do - and their parents.
The Youth Alcohol Action Plan has been drawn up by three government departments. It includes a new offence for young people caught regularly drinking in public.
Parents of such children could face fines of up £1000, court orders and a requirement to attend parenting courses. And shops will be forced to close if they're found to be selling alcohol to underage drinkers.
Other proposals being considered by the government would give the police greater powers to disperse crowds of young people and confiscate any alcoholic drinks.
It's tough talk, with the ultimate deterrent of prosecution. But critics say the emphasis is wrong. Opposition MPs say criminalising children - and their parents - who are most in need is not the answer.
