Street patrols begin to stop Oswestry teen drink problem

Street patrols in Oswestry to crack down on under-age drinking have started, with unannounced visits to pubs and shops and booze confiscated from law-breaking youngsters.

Members of The Oswestry Community Alcohol Partnership took part in the start of a series of patrols to help the retail and pub trade combat under-age drinking.

The group visited three pubs and four shops to hand out advice and support.

They walked around three of the town playing areas to speak to youngsters and also visited Trefonen and Gobowen.

During the patrol police dealt with three incidents involving assaults and twice took alcohol off youngsters under 18.

The partnership – Os-Cap – is made up of Shropshire Council's trading standards service, alcohol retailers, pubs and the community.

Frances Darling, trading standards manager for Shropshire Council and chairman of Os-Cap, said: "Through the patrols, Os-Cap is sending a very clear message to the community, that enforcers and traders are standing side-by-side to help each other prevent underage sales of alcohol both directly and through proxy sales."

Members of the group plan to continue the patrols.

Shropshire councillor Steve Charmley, responsible for trading standards, said: "The joint patrols aim to enforce, where necessary, but they are primarily about supporting and educating both the trade and customers."