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Praise for Corby's anti alcohol fight
A strategy to tackle alcohol-related crime and disorder in Corby has been praised by the Government.
Operation Ampthill was carried out earlier this year to patrol under-age drinking hotspots, carry out test purchases in off-licences and use metal detectors at clubs and pubs.
The scheme has been highlighted as a "good case study" and "impressive" in a Home Office Safe Sensible Social document which details the work the Government has been doing to crack down on drink-related incidents.
Insp Gary Williams, of Corby Police, said: "The success of Operation Ampthill is down to our good partnership working in Corby and the enthusiasm of my safer community team staff. The Home Office good practice recognition is just the icing on the cake."
A team of agencies including Corby Council, Northamptonshire County Council and Northamptonshire Police, was given 30,000 by the Home Office to tackle the issue.
Corby was one of just 50 areas nationwide to receive the funding.
The report details the successes of the scheme, including the deployment of "alcohol workers" to make contact with young people who drink alcohol on the streets.
A weekend residential course for 15 to 20 young people from the town, school visits by police and health workers and the delivery of 5,000 leaflets were all complimented by the Home Office.
A further 4,500 leaflets were given to teenagers aged between 13 and 18 to highlight issues related to alcohol consumption.
Two covert investigations and searches of pubs and clubs with police dogs were made.
Corby Council leader Pat Fawcett said: "Addressing alcohol-related crime is a priority for Corby Community Safety Partnership and something they are consistently continuing to tackle, so it is great to be recognised by the Home Office as a place of good practice.
"We are proud of the strong partnership working that Corby continues to show and look forward for this to continue in the future."
Youth workers from Groundwork North Northamptonshire helped with the project.
Ann-Marie Lawson, from the organisation, said: "We worked with a small group of the most prolific alcohol misuse offenders.
"It was very focused and structured and the young people worked hard. This should minimise the risk of them reoffending.
"Some young people fail to see the risk to themselves and others. Some of the time, it's basically just about getting them to think the possible consequences of their behaviour."
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Monday 13 February 2012
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