Alcohol restrictions backed by public

An exclusive poll for Channel 4 News tonight reveals there is public support to increase the legal age to buy alcohol from 18 to 21.

The findings back the call of Cheshire's Chief Constable Peter Fahy, who earlier this week told Channel 4 News that the change was needed to tackle the anti-social behaviour caused by underage drinking.

However, the survey also reveals opposition to forcing up the price of alcohol with higher taxes.

Every night, wardens patrol the streets of Mansfield in Nottinghamshire, looking for children drinking in the streets. They are not hard to find.

The UK has one of the highest rates of teenage drinkers in Europe. Like many other local authorities, Mansfield is having to spend hundreds of thousands of pounds dealing with the consequences.

Irene Middleton has only just turned 17, but already admits to having a drink problem. She proudly says she hasn't had a drink since Saturday - expect for yesterday, when she drank four cans.

National debate

The problem has been linked to truancy, anti-social behaviour and even murder. Gary Newlove was killed after confronting a group of children outside his home. Speaking out on Channel 4 News, the chief constable of Cheshire provoked a national debate.

And a specially commissioned poll for Channel 4 News suggests he has public support: 52 per cent of those asked said yes, the drinking age should be raised to 21 while 45 per cent said no.

Drinking more

Research shows that young people are consuming increasing amounts of alcohol. Alcohol now costs over 50% less in real terms than it did in 1980. But, when we asked whether the government should increase the level of tax on booze, 55 per cent said no while 42 per cent said yes.

The government knows any increase in alcohol duty will be unpopular, but it is looking at reviewing cheap promotions.

When we asked whether raising the price of alcohol would reduce anti-social behaviour, 72 per cent of people thought it would not and only 25 per cent thought it would.

The licensing laws

This week, a government minister has said it is not the age range, but the the problem of a society that encourages getting drunk as glamourous that is the problem. In the centre of Nottingham the clubs and pubs are full of students celebrating their exam results.

Gordon Brown has ordered a review of the 24-hour licensing laws. We asked whether the licensing laws have led to an increase in anti-social behaviour. 48 per cent said it has remained the same, making no difference, 43 per cent said it has increased and 4 per cent said the new laws have led to a decrease.

And when we asked whether the 24-hour licensing laws should be abolished, the answer was very close. 53 per cent aid they should continue while 42 per cent said they should be abolished.

Channel 4 News