GALLONS of illicit booze was poured down the drain last week — the result of a purge on under-age drinking in Tavistock.
Beer, alcopops, cider and even strong spirits such as vodka were confiscated from youngsters by police under recent Government legislation. The law gives them the power to dispose of alcohol found in the possession of people under 18 and those suspected of supplying them.
West Devon youth affairs officer Keith Bowden and Tavistock community constable Larry Base instigated a series of extra patrols aimed at tackling growing concern about alcohol-related problems among the town's youth, particularly in the public areas around the Meadows, Pixon Lane and the bus station.
The crackdown supports an education programme carried out in schools — itself a response to the vandalism and anti-social behaviour often associated with drunkenness, as well as the health and safety aspects — officers have already expressed concern at the vulnerability of children under the influence, particularly girls.
Police have had to deal with a number of youngsters very much the worse for drink. A fortnight ago two young teenagers were treated by paramedics after drinking themselves unconscious, others have been taken to the station for their own protection.
In total, as many as 150 under-18s have been dealt with in the four months the programme has been running so far.
There is also concern that the seeds for the large number of problems associated with legitimate older drinkers — violence and vandalism — may have been sown in youth.
'We are trying to break the chain,' said PC Bowden. 'To stop the fights and vandalism in Tavistock as they grow older.'
Police will be continuing the patrols and will also be targeting the sources of alcohol for the youngsters.
'It is apparent that drinks are being bought at various licensed outlets and also by older people who then sell it on,' said PC Bowden. 'We will be continuing our enquiries into these problems and will be targeting any licensed premises and older people suspected of selling alcohol to the under-aged.'
He said the police would be carrying out test purchases in a bid to close down the sources of alcohol for the youngsters.
'The majority of young people are well-behaved and do not cause any problems — it's a small minority,' he said. 'People will always experiment, but there are ways to do it without becoming anti-social.'
PC Bowden said it was often a surprise to parents when the police brought their children home or called them to the station and urged them to show more concern about where they went and what they did.