Warning to Parents

11 November 2010, 00:00

Police in Shepway are urging parents to do more to stop their children getting access to alcohol after seven teenage girls were caught on just one night (5.11.10).

Three 15-year-old girls were caught drinking alcohol in Sandgate High Street, Folkestone, on a routine patrol by PCSOs Mark Ball and James Chadwick. Their names and addresses were taken and their alcohol was disposed.

Another group of young people were caught drinking on the Sunny Sands including a 15-year-old girl who claimed she was given two bottles of wine and a crate of lager by her mother.

Police are warning that it is a criminal offence to purchase alcohol for anyone under 18.

Licensing officer PC Chris Stephens said: “It is completely irresponsible for parents to encourage their children to drink in this manner. These girls were unsupervised and out on a cold night in public. 

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“This sort of behaviour has huge risks for their health and personal safety and must not be encouraged by parents. There is also a direct relationship between alcohol consumption by young people and crime such as anti-social behaviour.

“We carry out licence enforcement work to ensure that alcohol is not being sold to underage children in bars, shops and off-licences. We are now asking parents to fulfil their responsibilities as well.”