Survey reveals Ludlow's underage drinkers

FOUR IN five teenagers in Ludlow have admitted underage drinking, a survey revealed today.

The study in Ludlow comes as part of a pilot scheme by Shropshire Council's trading standards department to try to crackdown on crime, anti-social behaviour and harm caused by underage drinking in the town.

The figures revealed that of the 79 per cent who said that they do drink alcohol, 64 per cent have been drunk.

Fifty one per cent of the participants reported themselves as occasional drinkers, 28 per cent regularly drink alcohol at least once a week and 21 per cent are non-drinkers.

Councillor Mike Owen, Shropshire Council's cabinet member responsible for trading standards, said today: "To help us measure the effectiveness of the Ludlow Community Alcohol Partnership scheme among young people, we agreed to carry out a survey at the start and end of the project.

Alcohol

Councillor Owen added: "I hope Ludlow residents and businesses are encouraged to hear that 49 per cent of under 18s reported they do not drink or have never been drunk.

"This helps to allay perceptions that all under-18s are out drinking and engaging in anti-social behaviour in Ludlow - this is clearly just not the case."

The survey into alcohol consumption and related behaviours among under 18s was completed between May 24 and 28 this year by students at Ludlow School and Ludlow College, and young people accessing Shropshire Youth services.

It was carried out at the start of the new community alcohol partnership for the town, involving Shropshire Council, alcohol retailers, pubs and local people.

In total, 686 young people, aged 11 to 17, completed the survey, the results of which will be available on the Shropshire Council website from today.

It is hoped that it will provide useful baseline data about the current level of underage drinking and related behaviours, and to help inform what action now needs to be taken to address the issues identified.

The survey will be carried out again at the end of the L-CAP scheme in January 2011 to help measure its success.

By Sophie Bignall