Tackling young people's drinking pt84

• You may think it would be easy to get a drink in a market town where all the pubs have 24-hour licences. But in North Walsham, which has been branded the drinking capital of Europe, buying a pint, or any other form of alcohol, just got a little bit tougher. For years the town has suffered problems of drunken teenagers running riot, disrupting the community and hurling abuse. Things got so bad church services were disrupted by drunken shouting youngsters and the windows of St Nicholas' church smashed. Things go so bad the vicar, the Reverend Derek Earis was moved to write a letter to a national newspaper. Now, in a bid to tackle the problem head on Norfolk police have been working closely with Sainsbury's on a robust staff training programme to make sure alcohol is not sold or supplied to youngsters.  Norwich Evening News

• THE Bournville booze row reached a crescendo when families warned Tesco bosses: "We will boycott you if you sell alcohol.'' Hundreds of people from all parts of the historical community turned out to sign a petition opposing an alcohol licence. Shopkeepers, housewives, church groups and residents all joined forces, with more than 500 people signing the document in less than an hour.Reverend Peter Babington, of St Francis Church and Youth Centre, said that he was worried about the effects it will have on young people. Mr Babington said: "The store is only 200 metres from our youth centre and we fear that an off licence could undermine a lot of good work that has been done here.  ic Birmingham See also The Stirrer

• People living near Jocelyn Park in Chard have been urged to report any anti-social behaviour to the police. Last week, Chard town and district councillor Dave Bulmer said measures to tackle louts were not working after he cleared up more cans and broken bottles from the park on Sunday morning. This week, Sgt Andy Kingston, of Chard Police, said: "Between Friday morning and Sunday night, there were no reported incidents of anti-social behaviour in the Jocelyn Park area. However, I would encourage members of the public who witness such behaviour, including under age drinking, to report it to the police and we will respond."   Chard and Ilminster News

• 'No ID, No Entry!' is the message being put across to underage drinkers as well as their parents in Lurgan, Banbridge, Portadown, Lisburn and Newry.  And while the initiative is centred on Banbridge it will have far reaching consequences with so many young people in the Lurgan area travelling to venues in the neighbouring town.  With underage drinking an issue of increasing public concern, members of Banbridge Night Traders Association have vowed to work in partnership with Banbridge PSNI and Banbridge Night-Time Economy Working Group in order to tackle this issue head-on.  Already thirteen members of Banbridge Night Traders Association have signed up to a new code of conduct in which they have agreed to a number of conditions, the most important being a zero tolerance approach to underage drinking.   Lurgantoday