Liberal Democrat Councillors John Cameron and Paul Ankers are calling for tough new measures to reduce teenage drinking in Manchester. Cllr Cameron, who represents the Burnage Ward, has written to the Manchester Drug and Alcohol Team to demand action to stop shops selling alcohol to underage drinkers.
Cllr Cameron has suggested that alcohol bottles and cans should be labelled to identify the shop they came from, so that action can be taken against the shops when children or teenagers are found with alcohol.
Chorlton Lib Dem Councillor Paul Ankers backed the move at a recent meeting of Manchester City Council's Communities and Neighbourhoods Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
Cllr John Cameron said:
"There is a serious problem with teenagers drinking alcohol in public places in many parts of Manchester, including Burnage Ward. This drinking causes problems for local residents, through vandalism, antisocial behaviour and litter. Underage drinking is also dangerous for the teenagers involved, who are putting themselves at risk and may be storing up health problems for the future."
Cllr Paul Ankers said:
"It is often difficult or impossible for the police and Trading Standards to prove where this alcohol has been bought, as kids often get adults to buy it for them and unscrupulous shop owners are skilled at evading Trading Standards test purchases. If all of the alcohol containers were marked to identify the shop they came from, it would allow the authorities to crack down on those shops who are supplying alcohol to underage children."
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