Group to fight Oswestry drink problem

A group launched to tackle underage drinking in Oswestry will hold its official launch meeting next Friday as it steps up efforts to try to stamp out the problem with a variety of initiatives.

Oswestry Community Alcohol Partnership will be trying to reduce crime, anti-social behaviour and harm caused by underage drinking.

Preparations began in January after a similar pilot scheme was organised in Ludlow, and it is planned to run the new group until October.

Os-Cap want to begin addressing underage drinking by working with young people, parents and residents through education, enforcement and changing public ideas.

After carrying out research over the last few months it said more than 75 per cent of Oswestry residents believed underage drinking was a problem in the town but only 30 per cent of young people agreed this was the case.

The research also showed youngsters got their alcohol from parents and friends, but under 18s buying it for themselves from shops and pubs was less common.

Councillor Cecilia Motley, said: "The Os-Cap provides a great opportunity for us all to work together to tackle underage drinking."

Vince Hunt and Martin Bennett, Shropshire councillors for Oswestry, said: "We fully support the Os-Cap and hope that everyone in the town can play a part in reducing the anti-social behaviour and crime caused by underage."

Organisations involved in the group will include shops, pubs, the police and council.