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Statistics have revealed that 67 per cent of under 18's in Lancashire are supplied alcohol by their parents.

With the UK bracing itself for its nationwide binge drinking problems to worsen over the Christmas period, the South Ribble Community Safety Partnership, which covers areas across the borough as well as Chorley, is urging parents to consider what can happen to young people who drink underage.

A new campaign against buying alcohol for underage drinkers has been launched across Lancashire in a bid to remind parents that their children are more likely to get into trouble with the police, be attacked, become the victim of crime or fall ill if they have been drinking to excess underage.
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The campaign comes in response to a survey carried out by Trading Standards, which found that although off licences are refusing to serve underage customers more frequently than ever before, young people are still getting hold of alcohol - and most are supplied drink by their parents.

At a recent meeting set up to consider how local agencies can tackle the issue, representatives of the South Ribble Community Safety Partnership were shocked to discover from local drug and alcohol support workers that underage drinking habits are worse than ever - with youngsters less likely to try cheaper drinks like cider, lager or alcopops and more likely to opt for spirits like vodka or whisky, which contain a much higher volume of alcohol.

Over the next few weeks, the Community Safety Partnership will be targeting parents and retailers with its Campaign Against Proxy Sales (CAPS), which it's hoped will discourage parents or any other adults from buying alcohol for underage young people.

Lee Threlfall, Alcohol Harm Reduction Officer for Chorley and South Ribble, said: "Parents have a very difficult job on their hands and this campaign does not aim to tell parents how to do their job."

"The difficulties arise when adults buy unsafe amounts of alcohol for young people to drink away from supervision.

"This kind of irresponsible approach can lead to a whole manner of consequences - and no parent wants to hear that their child has been attacked because they were so drunk they couldn't stand up to their attacker, or they have been arrested for being violent or abusive.

"These are all things that can happen when a young person, whose metabolism is not equipped to deal with alcohol, drinks too much, and are exactly the types of scenarios we are encouraging parents to think about with our proxy sales campaign."

Buying alcohol for an underage person is illegal and can land you with an £80 fixed penalty or fine of up to £5000.

This Is Lancashire