Alcohol

It is our aim to make sure that the consumption and sale of alcohol is legal and that people are aware of the impact of drinking too much, particularly in relation to crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour.

We do this by:

• working with pubs, clubs, shops and off licences to enforce licensing legislation
• visiting shops and putting them to the test to see if they are complying with the law and not selling alcohol to underage youths.
• carrying out regular patrols in hot spot areas across the county to target underage drinking
• carrying out regular drink driving campaigns
• educating people on safe drinking levels
• carrying out specific operations aimed at cracking down on alcohol fuelled violence and anti-social behaviour.

To find out more about alcohol, its health effects and the law, follow the links below.

http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/drugs/alcohol/

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/alcohol/Pages/Alcoholsupport.aspx

Alcohol and young people

If you are aged 18 or under, or you are a parent or guardian, make sure you know the law on alcohol sales:

• It's illegal for shops, pubs or clubs to sell alcohol to people under 18. Any who do could be fined up to £5,000 and even lose their licence to sell alcohol.
• It's against the law to give a child under the age of 5 a drink of alcohol
• It's against the law to deliver alcohol to anybody under the age of 18.
• If you're aged 10-15 and drink in a public place, the police can take you home to your parents and give you a fine of £30.
• If you are aged 16 or 17 and drinking in a public place the police can give you a £50 fine and send a letter to your parents and your school.
• If you are under 16 and with an adult it's up to the pub whether or not you are allowed in.
• If you are aged 16 or 17 and go into a pub with an adult, the adult may buy you beer, wine or cider if you're having a meal at a table.
• If you're under 14 you're not allowed into a pub or bar unless the owner has a special certificate.
• If you're under 18 and drinking alcohol in a public place the police can take it off you and pour it away. They might also take unopened bottles from you.
• If you ask somebody over 18 to buy you alcohol and they do, they're breaking the law. They could be fined £80.