Warning on under-age drinking

LIBERAL Democrat leader Nick Clegg was taken on a tour of crime “hot spots” in town centre Warrington – and issued a warning to pub and club bosses who serve under-age drinkers.
He said he would support any move to get tough with licensees who flouted the law – including reducing rights to appeal.
“As far as I am concern there should be no second chance,” he said. “It would be one strike and you’re out. You would have lost your licence for good.”
Mr Clegg said he had not singled Warrington out for a visit in the wake of the Garry Newlove murder and a string of other drink-related killings in recent years.
“Warrington is no worse than any other similar town or city. We have similar problems in my own constituency in Sheffield.
“But I wanted to see what the Liberal Democrat led council is doing about it and am pleased to say that, working with the police, they are making good progress.
“I think there may be an issue of too many pubs and clubs in Warrington, but changes in licensing legislation are helping to put this right.”
He hoped Lib-Dem controlled councils across the country would learn from each other on how best to tackle binge drinking problems.
Mr Clegg met borough council leader Ian Marks, Lib Dem prospective candidate for Warrington South Jo Crotty and Insp Richard Reeves, in charge of town centre policing, in Bridge Street, scene of much of the violence and anti-social behaviour that has plagued the town.
Coun Marks said he wished Mr Clegg could have seen Bridge Street at 6am when it could be “frightening.”
But he said the police and the council were winning the battle to reclaim the streets.
“We have ambitious plans to bring in cafes and restaurants that will attract families – it may take two or three years.”
Insp Reeves said on average, eight or nine people were arrested for drink related offences every Friday and Saturday night. But new measures introduced by the police were starting to have an impact.
Warrington Council has drawn up a 10-point plan to tackle the problems of binge drinking, violence and anti-social behaviour – which includes designating all town centre streets as alcohol free areas.
Picture shows Nick Clegg with (L-R) Warrington Borough Council Leader Ian Marks, Inspector Richard Reeves and Lib-Dem prospective parliamentary candidate for Warrington South Dr Jo Crotty.