Tower Hamlets council will launch its third Community Alcohol Partnership (CAP), to tackle underage drinking and anti-social behaviour, in Poplar later this month.
CAPs are partnerships between local authorities, police, schools, retailers, neighbourhood groups and health providers. These organisations work together to empower communities to tackle the issue by reducing the sale of alcohol to young people, advise them on the dangers of drinking and provide alcohol-free activities with local youth services and charities.
The Poplar CAP follows a resident survey which highlighted concerns regarding alcohol related crime and lack of facilities. It is led by Tower Hamlets council who are partnering with a wide range of stakeholders including Poplar Harca Housing Association, the Spotlight Youth Centre, St Paul’s Way School, Langdon Park School, the Rapid Response Team and Compass, the young people’s substance misuse service.
The CAP will work with retailers to offer guidance and training to combat underage sales of alcohol and proxy purchase, where adults buy alcohol on behalf of young people. It will also work with schools and youth services to engage with young people and encourage them to attend youth centres.
Mayor of Tower Hamlets, John Biggs said:
“There is a growing concern about the levels and impact of underage drinking. We are using innovative ways to tackle this such as Community Alcohol Partnerships. We want this to involve residents and young people across our community and work in partnership to engage with retailers as well as educating and where necessary enforcing.”
Quote from Cllr Asma Begum, Deputy Mayor for Community Safety and Equalities said:
“Drinking alcohol at a young age brings serious risks to children’s health and development and puts them in danger of both physical and social harm. They are far more likely to injure themselves or someone else, fail to reach their potential at school and engage in anti-social behaviour. As a Council are committed to making a positive difference to their lives and to our local community.”
About the launch
The launch of the Poplar CAP will take place at 4pm on 25 May at Poplar Union, 2 Cotall St, Poplar, London E14 6TL. You are very welcome to send a reporter or photographer to the event.
For further information contact: Vincent Fajilagmago on 07791 637990.
About Community Alcohol Partnerships
- Community Alcohol Partnerships (CAP) schemes are set up to tackle underage drinking and the resulting harm to local communities. All schemes are managed and delivered locally via partnerships between local authorities, police, retailers, schools and neighbourhood groups and health providers, offering a flexible model tailored to fit the needs of each community. All schemes incorporate a mixture of education, enforcement, community engagement and the provision of diversionary activities for young people. For more information, see our website at www.communityalcoholpartnerships.co.uk
- CAPs across the UK have enjoyed considerable success tackling underage drinking with a mix of education, enforcement, community engagement and the provision of diversionary activities for young people. CAP Director Kate Winstanley said: “‘I am delighted at the launch of a CAP in Poplar. Community Alcohol Partnerships are a tried and tested way of driving down underage drinking and creating better, safer and friendlier neighbourhoods.”
- In 2017, Tower Hamlets’ CAP in Mile End, and its work led by Licensing Office Vincent Fajilagmago, received a national award for tackling underage drinking in Mile End. The Mile End CAP took several steps including checks on retailers, gathering evidence of anti-social behaviour and working with local schools and youth centres to increase alcohol awareness and organise youth activities. As a result, alcohol-fuelled anti-social behaviour by young people dropped by 62%.
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