Teenagers warned over booze binges

Norfolk teenagers were last night warned that they were playing Russian roulette with their health and safety by binge-drinking alcohol.

It comes as police revealed they had seized a large haul of alcohol from gangs of youngsters drinking illegally in areas of Norwich, Hethersett and Wymondham.

Penny McVeigh, chief executive of Norwich-based drug and alcohol advisory service Norcas, said that underage drinking was a growing problem in Norfolk and that drinkers of all ages were taking massive risks.

“Young people are undoubtedly drinking too much and at dangerous levels,” she said. “People no longer seem content with a quiet pint, but are obsessed with going out to get absolutely drunk.

“In the long term, from a health point of view, this represents a ticking time bomb. In the short term, being intoxicated means that you are no longer in control of yourself and the situations that you find yourself in. From a personal safety point of view you put yourself at risk of petty crime, pregnancy and unsafe sex.”

Mrs McVeigh called for a “straight down the line, non-judgmental, public education campaign” about alcohol.

Her comments came as police revealed that they had seized a large haul of alcohol, including dozens of cans of strong larger and several litres of vodka and cider, from gangs of youngsters aged between 15 and 17.

Officers said that those caught drinking illegally could expect a letter home to their parents, or a home visit from an officer. It also emerged that one teenager received an £80 fine for disorderly conduct during a crackdown by officers.

The sweeps were carried out in areas where residents had reported problems associated with underage drinking and criminal damage to their safer neighbourhood teams. Other sweeps will follow in the coming weeks in these areas and Mulbarton.

PC Glenn Hambling said that a large quantity of alcohol was seized from a group of about 30 teenagers on the recreation ground in Hethersett during a swoop by community police officers last Friday evening.

Simultaneously, officers in Wymondham seized a large crate of lager from a group of underage youngsters behind the abbey.

“Although we surprised these youngsters relatively early in the evening it was clear that some of them had already been drinking heavily,” PC Hambling said.

“We plan to repeat these surprise patrols in the coming weeks and we will also be visiting the parents of the youngsters who were actively consuming alcohol.”

PC Hambling said that none of the youngsters caught in the swoop could prove they were 18 and legally able to drink.

Much of the alcohol was poured away by officers at the scene, while the rest has been impounded.

“These were not youngsters out enjoying a quiet social drink. It seems to be about who can get drunk the quickest,” he added.

On the same evening a 10-strong team from the Heartsease and Thorpe Hamlet Safer Neighbourhoods Team seized alcohol and issued a teenager with an £80 fine for disorderly conduct.

Sgt Julie Johnson said: “Anti-social behaviour, in particular on the Heartsease and Pilling Park estates, is a major concern for local people, who feel threatened by alcohol-fuelled gangs hanging around, causing a nuisance.

“This was a successful operation and one we will be looking to repeat soon.”

Norfolk police spokesman Simon Morgan said: “What you are seeing here is the result of this joint working between local people, the police and partners to bring about a solution.”

EDP24