Figures say town has big problem

The stark reality of Telford's drink problem and the spiralling cost to the community has been revealed in full.

Statistics paint a picture of a town awash with drink.

The figures in a new report reveal that Telford & Wrekin had the highest hospital admission rates in the West Midlands for alcohol-related accidental injury between 2002 and 2004.

And alcohol is a factor in thousands of crimes, and implicated in more than a quarter of all police committals to custody in Telford & Wrekin.

Worrying numbers of young people drinking have also emerged, with 20 per cent of 11 to 15 year olds drinking once or twice a week and three per cent drinking either every day or almost every day.

Alcohol has also played a role in a large proportion of road deaths, suicides and incidents of domestic violence.

The report, which details a strategy on how to prevent and tackle alcohol abuse in the borough, will go before Telford & Wrekin councillors on Monday .

The council and its partners have spent six months drawing up a strategy which includes awareness campaigns in schools, working with licensees and launching public campaigns.

Wrekin MP Mark Pritchard today welcomed the strategy. "It's clear that too many under-age children are having access to alcohol which is causing high levels of anti-social behaviour.

"Any steps that reduce the incidents of alcohol-fuelled violence on the streets, in homes, and that reduce attacks on public sector health workers have to be welcomed."