Launch of new Community Alcohol Partnership in Whitchurch great success

Many local residents turned out to the launch of a new Community Alcohol Partnership in Whitchurch to help tackle underage drinking and associated anti-social behaviour.

Residents and businesses were invited to the Whitchurch Community Alcohol Partnership (WCAP) event held at the Whitchurch Civic Centre on 23 November .

Hosted by WCAP, who provided information about the new partnership, the event also included presentations, information and advice from several organisations and community groups, including:

• The National Community Alcohol Partnership 
• Shropshire Council’s trading standards, young people substance misuse team, and Centre North East positive activities team
• West Mercia Police
• Sir John Talbot’s Technology College
• Tesco, who provide the Challenge 25 training to local traders
• Shifty’s – a voluntary sector charity  providing alcohol awareness information.

Residents were able to find out about the work of WCAP, and ask questions or get advice on any concerns they had around underage drinking and associated anti-social behaviour.

WCAP is one of several CAP groups set up to oversee a new scheme to tackle underage drinking in Shropshire, and will be working with young people and residents around Jubilee Park in Whitchurch.  The partnership comprises of West Mercia Police, Shropshire Council’s positive activities team, community action team, Whitchurch Town Council, St John Talbot’s Technology College, Friends of Jubilee Park and Tesco.

The scheme has been developed thanks to funding of £90,000, over 2 years (£45,000 per year), through the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG).

Jubilee Park is one of several parks in Shropshire to have secured a share from The Alcohol Fund.  Other parks include Caer Glas Park in Oswestry and Crown Meadow in Bridgnorth.  The parks had been identified as having seasonal summertime issues around underage drinking and associated anti-social behaviour.

Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member with responsibility for public protection, said:

“Our vision is to promote a culture where the whole community, in partnership with services, address underage drinking in order to improve the overall quality of life for everyone who lives near Jubilee Park and/or uses its facilities.

“The community has a key role to play in how the project is delivered locally.  The engagement and support of local residents and users of Jubilee Park, including young people, will be an important contributing factor to the overall success of the project.  The more people who become involved, the greater the success will be.”

Terry O’Neill, Whitchurch Town Councillor and chair of WCAP, said:

“Many people attended the event, and the response from the public and retailers was very positive.

“It was evident that there is a greater need for public awareness regarding the purchase of alcohol for underage drinkers by older people, and the obvious implications this may have. The meeting wound up on a good note, and it was also good to see a fair number of mixed age groups attending.”

A representative from council contractors, Nobridge Ltd, was also at the event to give details of litter, appertaining to alcohol use in the park.

Sir John Talbot’s Sixth Form students gave a helping hand and presented the results from the recent public perception survey carried out in the town, about the issues and concerns re alcohol and young people in the community.

Carolyn Wort of St John Talbot’s Technology College, and member of WCAP, who introduced the event, said:

“Sir John Talbot’s Technology College has community at the core of its values and as such is delighted to be involved as a partner in the Whitchurch Community Alcohol Partnership.”

For more information about the scheme and to get involved contact Nicki Young, community action officer, Shropshire Council on 01939 237429.

If you or someone you know is concerned about anti-social behaviour in your neighbourhood then please call our ASB ‘report it’ line on 0345 678 9020.  All calls will be treated in confidence.

Further information

The funding has allowed the Whitchurch Community Alcohol Partnership to be set up to deliver an action plan at local level to meet the local needs.  This will include addressing underage drinking and associated anti-social behaviour, using Jubilee Park as the focus for creating dialogue between young people and the local community; and using the assets within Jubilee Park and the community to provide positive activities for young people.  The objectives of the scheme are to:

• reduce the public perception of underage drinking on Jubilee Park measured through face-to-face surveys.
• reduce the quantity of alcohol-related litter
• increase the number of police alcohol seizures
• increase the percentage of trading premises trained on preventing underage and proxy purchases
• reduce the number of young people attempting to purchase alcohol from off-licences.