Last updated 19:44, Thursday, 24 July 2008

WORKINGTON residents are bring asked to help police stop underage drinking in the town by keeping diaries.

People who volunteer will be asked to make notes and log the times they see teenagers being served alcohol in shops and pubs in their neighbourhood.

Reports will be sent to the police, who will then investigate.

Officers will also use dispersal orders, which have been successfully used in Maryport and Cockermouth, to stop youths gathering and drinking alcohol in public. It allows them to seize alcohol.

Sergeant Richard Farnworth, of Cumbria police’s community safety team, said: “Those parents who condone or encourage the unregulated consumption of alcohol by young people are part of the problem.

“This is about local people looking after their own area and it is important that they get involved.

“We will hold to account people and premises who fail to take responsibility for themselves or the management of licensed premises.

“Reducing the availability of alcohol to the young is a priority for us.

“We are challenging society’s acceptance of the drinking culture.”

An official police press release this week confirmed that some Workington people were already completing “community diaries” to assist the police gather evidence of sales to, sales for and consumption by children.

There are a number of schemes launched by police to stop underage drinking and tackle anti-social behaviour.

Young people found with drink will be tested to see if they are drinking alcohol with new kits that test the strength of the liquid.

Any youth caught drinking alcohol will have it seized and their details taken.

Any venue or off-licence police feel is serving alcohol to youngsters will be monitored with closed circuit TV cameras.

Officers will wear head-cameras and have hand-held camcorders to gather evidence.

Evidence will also be gathered to target individuals who buy alcohol and then give it to children.

Police will work with Trading Standards to carry out test purchase operations. Premises caught selling to children twice will automatically have their licence reviewed.

Sgt Farnworth said: “We are also identifying and tackling premises that breach licensing legislation, especially in relation to serving to young people and to people who are already drunk.

“We will hold to account people and premises who fail to take responsibility for themselves or the management of licensed premises.”

To order a community diary, call Sgt Farnworth on 0845 3300247.