Patrols aim to reduce underage drinking in Oswestry

Os-CAP is a scheme led by Shropshire Council’s trading standards service that sees alcohol retailers, pubs and the local community working together in a bid to reduce the crime, anti-social behaviour and harm caused by underage drinking.

Officers from Shropshire Council’s trading standards and licensing teams are combining forces with West Mercia Police over the coming months to provide a regular and visible presence on the streets and in the shops and pubs in Oswestry.

At weekends, officers will be visiting traders, helping them improve their ‘Challenge 25′ policies, giving advice on licensing conditions and engaging with customers to strengthen the message on appropriate proof of age ID. They will also aim to highlight the implications of illegal ‘proxy purchasing’ – where over-18s buy alcohol on behalf of under-18s.

This exercise is being carried out in partnership with local traders and will be fully supported by the police, who will be confiscating alcohol from under-18s and dealing with any anti-social behaviour.

Frances Darling, trading standards manager with Shropshire Council and Chair of the Os-CAP said:

“We have an excellent commitment from both retailers and pubs and they are now very much part of the solution to underage drinking in Oswestry. Through the patrols, Os-CAP is sending a very clear message to the community, that enforcers and traders are standing side-by-side to help each other prevent underage sales of alcohol both directly and through proxy sales.”

Councillor Stephen Charmley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member responsible for trading standards, said:

“The effects on the Oswestry community of alcohol-related anti-social behaviour cannot be ignored. The joint patrols aim to enforce, where necessary, but they are primarily about supporting and educating both the trade and customers.”

Keith Barrow, Vince Hunt, Martin Bennett and Bill Benyon, Shropshire Councillors for Oswestry, said:

“The joint patrols are only one part of the Os-CAP’s toolkit that is currently being developed to tackle underage drinking in Oswestry. It’s good to see the commitment of traders to the project, and we would urge the whole community to get behind this initiative.”

Glenys Davies from Oswestry Town Council added:

“The town council considers this to be a positive initiative and we will be pleased to give the agencies concerned our utmost support.”

If anyone wants to contribute or get involved with the Os-CAP, they can call 01691 677386 and leave a message, or email cap@shropshire.gov.uk.