Initiative to tackle underage drinking is launched in Mansfield

Mansfield Community Alcohol Partnership brings together alcohol retailers, licensees and local service-providers such as the district council, health bodies and Nottinghamshire Police.

Advice,

Guidance and materials will be provided and shared to deliver a tailored response to underage alcohol misuse in the area.

Schools, youth workers and those who provide diversionary activities are also involved.

The launch of the CAP took place at Mansfield District Council offices on Friday with a gathering of organisations, businesses and schools involved and speeches by a number of guests.

Welcoming the setting up of the CAP, Mr Tipping Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) said: “I am delighted. The way to tackle these issues is through partnership. One organisation can’t do it by itself. Let’s get on and make the difference.”

Speakers included national CAP Director Kate Winstanley and Mansfield District Council Licensing Team Leader Sam Yates and the authority’s Specialist Parenting Practitioner Anne Callaghan.

In her speech, Kate Winstanley underlining the importance of partnership said: “Enter into the spirit of partnership, you are stronger together.”

The launch on Friday saw an offer made to provide free of charge age restricted sales training to independent off licence staff by the Tesco store on Chesterfield Road.

Jaime Revill-Jessop, Personnel Manager at Tesco, said: “We would like to offer our services and work in partnership with local off licence premises.”

The Tesco store is the lead retailer for the Partnership and Marks & Spencer is also involved.

CAP was piloted by the Retail of Alcohol Standards Group (RASG) in 2007. It has since developed into one of the most significant alcohol industry funded initiatives tackling underage alcohol misuse with good evidence of effectiveness. Today, more than 82 CAPs have been set up across the UK. Nottinghamshire’s first was in Sutton-in-Ashfield, with Mansfield the county’s second.

The first meeting of the Mansfield CAP will take place early in January.