A new Community Alcohol Partnership (CAP) has been launched in Withernsea to explore the issue of underage drinking and associated anti-social behaviour (ASB) in the local community.  The launch took place on 10 July at The Hut, youth club in Withernsea.

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CAPs are community-led partnerships which bring together local police, councils, schools, retailers, and community groups. Their primary goal is to reduce any alcohol harm in children and young people to improve their health and well-being and enhance the wider community. Partners in the local CAP include: Withernsea Secondary School, Humberside Police and The Hut youth provision. New partners are also welcome to join if they feel could support the initiative.

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The CAP in Withernsea will work to educate young people about the impact of underage drinking and help them to make better decisions about issues such as alcohol, drugs and anti-social behaviour.

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It will do this in three ways:

• By working with schools and youth groups, the partnership will educate young people about the impact of underage drinking and equip them to make responsible choices regarding alcohol, drugs ,and anti-social behaviour.
• By working closely with local retailers to enforce regulations and prevent the illegal sale of alcohol to minors. This includes stopping illegal “proxy sales” where adults purchase alcohol for individuals under 18, and ensuring all retailers comply with the Challenge 25 policy.
• By providing positive and engaging activities for young people, offering them safe, supervised environments to socialise. These activities are a crucial part of the CAP strategy, providing an excellent opportunity to deliver alcohol education in an informal setting.

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The impact of CAPs has been measured and proven. Nationwide, partnerships have led to reductions in regular drinking among 13-16-year-olds and in alcohol-related anti-social behaviour.

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The Neighbourhood Policing Team already work closely with Withernsea High School which has been really positive so to join forces with other stakeholders as part of the CAP partnership, will be hugely beneficial.  We will work closely with the retailers and provide support to them if they have any issues.  This will empower them to challenge any illegal and proxy sales as well as retail theft. - PCSO Amy Eades

I am looking forward to being part of CAP.  I think it is important to educate young people on understanding the dangers and risks of drinking alcohol. Not just the impacts alcohol can have on your health but also preventing young people getting in dangerous and venerable situations through alcohol miss use. - Max Altoft, Community Play Ranger Team Leader, The Hut

Kate Winstanley, Director of CAP said “We know from extensive research that underage drinking can lead to lots of challenges for young people in their education, relationships, health and increased risk of alcohol-related harm in later life.  CAP has proved to be a successful model for tackling underage drinking and just as importantly promoting positive health and wellbeing in children and young people. Our evidence shows that CAPs are extremely effective in reducing the supply of alcohol to children, underage alcohol consumption and alcohol-related anti-social behaviour.

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“That’s why it’s great to seelocal partners coming together in Withernsea to highlight the risks of underagedrinking and reduce alcohol harm among local children and young people.”  

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She continued: “We are lookingforward to seeing the initiatives that the CAP is working on and to making apositive difference to the local community.”

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ENDS

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For media information, please contact: Samantha Patel, Communications Manager - sam@communityalcoholpartnerships.co.uk.