Tories target underage drinking

David Davis wants more to be done against underage drinking

Tuesday, 12, Feb 2008 10:00

Shadow home secretary David Davis is calling for tougher action against underage drinkers today.

The Conservatives want a rise in the number of prosecutions and court orders against those who illegally attempt to buy alcohol below the legal age limit of 18.

At present there are less than 100 prosecutions every year, the Tories have established through parliamentary questions.

Mr Davis believes this amount is too small and describes the ten court proceedings initiated against would-be underage drinkers in 2006 as "staggering complacency" on the part of the government.

"The government's basic failure to enforce the law sends totally the wrong message about underage drinking and puts the public at risk from the spiralling violence it generates," he said.

In 2006 just 13 people were cautioned while 62 fixed penalty notices were issued to 16- and 17-year-olds.

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