Press Release

Derry DPP Chairperson Welcomes New Powers to Tackle Underage Drinking

1st March 2010

Tough new powers to tackle underage drinking in public spaces came into effect on 29 January 2010, under the Policing and Crime Act 2009 which extends to Northern Ireland. The new legislation covers confiscation of alcohol, tougher penalties for persistent drinking in a public place and police returning teenagers under 16 to their home for suspected drinking in a public place.

Welcoming the new legislation the Chairperson of Derry District Policing Partnership, Alderman Joe Miller stated:

“Underage drinking was identified as the biggest policing issue by respondents to the DPP household survey carried out in July 2009. This issue has also been raised continuously at DPP meetings in public. In addition, the District Policing Partnership monitors the use of Operation Snapper by the police locally. Under this operation the police have made 1,100 alcohol seizures from children and young people between April and September 2009. Allied to Council’s newly extended on-street drinking bye-laws, I am hopeful that this legislation will help tackle the scourge of underage drinking in our city.”

Commenting on the new powers, PSNI District Commander, Chief Superintendent Stephen Martin said:

“This new legislation gives the police extra powers. Until now police have only been able to confiscate alcohol from young people in public where cans or bottles were already open or where they believed there was an intention to consume – the new powers will now allow the police to confiscate unopened containers so even carrying a bag of cans or bottles could be subject to the new laws.”

Ends

Notes to Editors

New powers to seize alcohol containers came into force on Friday 29 January 2010.

Section 29 of the Policing and Crime Act 2009 amends the Confiscation of Alcohol (Young Persons) Act 1997 so that police officers can confiscate sealed containers of alcohol from young persons in public places without needing to prove that they were consuming alcohol or that they intended to consume alcohol in a public place.

The new powers also allow the police to return, where appropriate, individuals that are reasonably suspected of being under 16 to their home or a place of safety.

Section 30 of the 2009 Act introduces a new offence of persistently possessing alcohol in a public place. Young people under 18 can be prosecuted for this offence if they are caught with alcohol in a public place three or more times within a 12 month period.

Press Office

return to previous page