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Booze for children seized by police

1:09pm Sunday 28th January 2007

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A massive haul of booze was seized from children as young as 11 years old on the streets of Bolton.

A police operation targeting yobs in the Astley Bridge, Bromley Cross, Breightmet and Tonge Moor confiscated the drink over eight weekends.

It includes 400 containers of alcohol - among them are litre bottles of vodka, cans of strong lager and fortified wine.

Police said the operation had been successful in taking hundreds of litres of booze from youngsters but officers are increasingly concerned about the number of adults buying drink for children.

Some 12 adults were issued with £80 on-the-spot fines for the offences during Operation Pleat.

Police also made 12 arrests for public order offences and challenged 450 youngsters about their presence on the street late at night under stop-and-account powers.

Sgt Leon Jacobs said: "The operation was a great success and a huge amount alcohol was taken off the streets. It is alcohol that could have contributed to a huge amount of nuisance. However, the problem of adults buying for children remains.

"I am appealing directly to those people to consider the harm they are causing."

Police targeted problem areas which had been identified after talks with residents.

Uniformed officers provided a visible deterrent to gangs on the street and plain-clothed officers watched off-licences in a bid to trap adults buying booze for under-18s. Covert cameras were also used to spy on offenders.

Sgt Jacobs added: "During this operation, we have worked closely with residents, Bolton Council and a number of off-licences who have helped us to target the individuals who are causing us problems."


Your Say YourThis Is Lancashire

professional princess, says...
11:29am Mon 29 Jan 07

Only 400 containers,they could have recovered that on a Friday and Saturday in one weekend on either the back of Bury Rd or near Castle Hill Leisure Centre, behind the off licence that supplies them, and yes I have seen it for myself. The girls are far worse behaved than the lads !! No wonder the teenage pregnancy rate in Bolton is so high!

D. Wood, says...
12:27pm Mon 29 Jan 07

I have often noticed groups of school-age kids outside off-licences on both Blackburn Rd and Chorley Old Rd, pestering customers to buy alcohol for them. Much more police surveillance is needed, and much more severe penalties for all those involved - including the kids themselves, and their often irresponsible parents.

William, says...
12:31pm Mon 29 Jan 07

Well said D Wood. Perhaps the police would like to attend the Doffcocker Lodge car park and pathways on a Fri or Sat Night.
Another point is that some get the alcohol off their parents!

Druid, says...
12:33pm Mon 29 Jan 07

I can't understand why any Off-licence found selling alcohol to youngsters doesn't have their licence removed immediately. It could be returned on appeal should the case be "not proved".
Should the case be proved the licence ban should be for life.

lindy loo, says...
3:42pm Mon 29 Jan 07

What kind of idiot buys alcohol for kids in the first place. If anyone is caught doing so they should get a hefty fine and the shops that sell it to underage kids should have their licence revoked as they are not responsible enough to have one

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