A new scheme offering support and guidance to teenagers caught drinking in Liverpool is being launched.
The city is one of only six in the country to pilot the Alcohol Arrest Referral (AAR) scheme which will see anyone aged ten to 17 caught by police for alcohol or drug offences being interviewed and assessed by a youth worker.
They will determine their drinking patterns, why they are drinking and talk to them about the effects of alcohol and drugs and how it impacts on their body, behaviour and other people.
They will also be offered information and support with education, training, employment, positive activities, health and housing.
The Home Office announced in April that the scheme had been granted £178,000 of funding, and it is now being officially launched by Citysafe, Liverpool’s crime and disorder reduction partnership (CDRP) at the Community Justice Centre in Kirkdale.
Councillor Marilyn Fielding, executive member for safer, stronger communities, said: “Unsupervised drinking by young people puts them at risk and can lead to crime and anti-social behaviour which blights the lives of communities.
“By intervening as early as possible and tackling their drinking or drugs habit, we can reduce the likelihood of them re-offending.
“It will also change their lives for the better by giving them a chance to get involved in positive activities and education or training.
“We have already reduced anti-social behaviour in Liverpool by three percent over the past year, and this scheme will help us make the city an even safer place.”
There will be follow up appointments with the youngster and their family to determine the best way of tackling their behaviour, and legal sanctions if they persist.
Dr Paula Grey, Director of Public Health for Liverpool, said: “I am delighted Liverpool has been selected as one of the pilot schemes and it is already proving very successful.
“It is providing an opportunity to have one-to-one contact with young people to talk to them about the effects and dangers of irresponsible drinking, and is helping them to make informed decisions about their behaviour.
“The Alcohol Referral Scheme will also build on the great work already being undertaken in Liverpool, including the Pssst! Be Alcohol Aware campaign which promotes responsible drinking through education, awareness, intervention and treatment which helps address some of the challenges that alcohol presents in the city.
“This is a fantastic programme and the long-term benefits for both the individuals involved and the city as a whole are immeasurable.”
Chief Inspector Ian Valentine of Merseyside Police said: "We welcome this initiative as a positive step to engaging with young people to provide an alternative to drinking alcohol.
“By intervening early when young people come into custody, and working with health experts, we will be able to provide guidance and advice to steer them away from the damage caused by drinking alcohol. This will help reduce crime and anti-social behaviour committed whilst under the influence of drink."
Judge David Fletcher, who runs the North Liverpool Community Justice Centre, said: “I see the results of alcohol misuse every day at the Community Justice Centre and I know that the community is especially concerned about the affects of excessive drinking by teenagers.
“The earlier we can intervene, the better, in my view. I am particularly pleased that this scheme will help with a range of issues and will involve parents as part of the solution.”
Liverpool was chosen as a pilot area after its Drug and Alcohol Action Team (DAAT) submitted a bid demonstrating effective partnership work in tackling alcohol related youth crime.
The launch will be attended by a representative from the Home Office.
The scheme will run initially until March 2010 with the possibility of an extension, subject to Home Office funding.
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