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According to Britains most senior chief constable and new president
of the Association of Chief Police Officers, Tony Burden, parents
must take the blame for the rise in violent young drinkers crowding
on to Britain's streets and cities. "Few parents teach their children
that drinking is a social activity, not a chance to binge, or
bother to initiate their children into drinking alcohol at home
under strict supervision. Some parents even give their 14 and
15 year olds six-packs of beer to take to parties with other children,
with the result that in a few years they regard drinking as a
race".
Mr Burden said that many senior officers are becoming increasingly
worried by the levels of drunken fighting among young drinkers
The crime figures published in January 2001, show a rise in violent
offences and Mr Burden said drunken thuggery is contributing to
a continuing increase in assaults. "We have a societal problem
around drinking which does not manifest itself in any other European
country. It is a combination of young people and drink. In this
country it is drinking for drinkings sake with no realisation
that it is part of a social engagement. It should be about going
out and having fun, and not ending up in a casualty ward."
Research in Cardiff has shown that 9 out of 10 attacks are not
reported, hence the police force has begun exposing bars with
the worst records of violence through adverts in the local papers.
Mr Burden emphasised that a crack down on drinking availability
is not the answer but suggested that the Government should consider
investing cash in the sort of campaigns and advertising already
being used for drugs. |
