Community Alcohol Partnership to launch in Pontardawe

Pontardawe Community Alcohol Partnership will aim to educate the public on the impact underage drinking has on communities and will reduce young people’s access to alcohol by building on some excellent work undertaken by South Wales Police and Neath Port Talbot Council.

Supported by Welsh Government funding, the campaign will be launched at Pontardawe Arts Centre on Tuesday 12th July at 2pm.

Agencies and partners led by the South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner, including police, trading standards, community organisations and local councillors, will join licensed premises to work together to reduce drinking by teenagers and associated anti-social behaviour.

The action plan of activities will aim to bring about sustainable improvements through education, intelligence-led enforcement and offering positive alternatives to young people that promote a healthy lifestyle.

A priority for the campaign is reducing opportunities young people have to purchase alcohol.  To assist with this, free training has already been delivered to staff working in licensed premises on responsible selling practises, including the ‘Challenge 25′ age-verification policy and how to spot fake identification.

The Partnership will also engage and educate parents following a recent survey which revealed that parents in Pontardawe are the most likely provider of alcohol to young people.

South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Alun Michael (pictured) said:

“I am pleased to announce this new initiative for Pontardawe. It’s a problem in many communities across South Wales and I believe passionately that the solutions have to be owned locally.  That is why we are so pleased by the positive engagement from community leaders in Pontardawe.  We hope that this work will demonstrate good practice that will, in time, help many other communities across South Wales.

“We know from our recent survey work, here and elsewhere, that reducing underage drinking is important to our local community.  The knock-on effects of irresponsible drinking can be severe and together we can bring about a change in attitudes and behaviour.

“It fits well with our wider strategy to tackle alcohol-related violent crime in South Wales and reinforces our Know the Score campaign which challenges attitudes towards drinking alcohol and supports licensees and staff in bars and off-licences to enforce the law with regard to the sale of alcohol.”

Derek Lewis, Chairman of Community Alcohol Partnerships said:

“I am delighted at the launch of the Pontardawe Community Alcohol Partnership, using a tried and tested way of driving down underage drinking and creating better, safer and friendlier neighbourhoods.”

Local Neighbourhood Policing Sergeant Jayne James said:

“We see the impact under-age drinking has on young people and the wider community and this is a positive response to tackle the issue through education and enforcement.

“I would like to thank the community of Pontardawe for their support in helping us to fully understand the issue and for becoming involved in what we hope will be a long-lasting solution.”