20 June 2008, 08/132
Don’t overindulge this summer - drink
sensibly!
Drink sensibly this summer is the message from West Lancashire
District Council as it launches a hard-hitting alcohol awareness
campaign.
The message comes at the re-launch of Summer Nights to tackle
drink-related anti-social problems, which is being run from 1 July
to 31 August.
For the fourth year running, the District Council is backing the
drive to curb these offences and will be supporting the work of
Lancashire Constabulary and other Community Safety Partners with a
range of its own interventions to curb nuisance drinking across
West Lancashire.
Traditionally, a lot of unruly behaviour and underage drinking
occurs during the summer months. So the campaign will once again
hit the streets in a bid to help reduce incidents of anti-social
behaviour and increase community reassurance.
Initiatives the Council will be spearheading range from
providing activities for young people, patrolling hot spot areas
prone to nuisance behaviour and working with partners to focus on
criminal damage and domestic violence.
Cllr Paul Greenall, Portfolio Holder for Community Safety, said:
"During the summertime, people’s spirits are high with the warm
weather, parties, barbeques and holidays. As a result there’s a
tendency to overdo it, which is when the problems start. We want to
stop this by asking people to know their limits and drink
sensibly."
Promoting positive messages and encouraging sensible drinking
will be key to the campaign, which will be officially launched at
an open day on 29 June at the Police Headquarters in Hutton. For
tickets contact 01772 412008.
The District Council is also supporting this year’s Summer
Nights Celebration of Young People Awards.
It is open to all children and young people up to the age of 18
who live in Lancashire and they can be nominated for seven
categories:
· Courage
· Young People’s Champion
· Exceptional commitment and dedication to a cause
· Back on track
· Improving the community
· Building bridges
· Operation Summer Nights outstanding achievement
So if you know someone - or a group of young people - who you
think deserves recognition for their efforts, make a nomination
online at www.lancashire.police.uk.
The closing date is 31 July.
Bill Taylor, Chairman of the West Lancashire Community Safety
Partnership, added: "We have so many thoughtful young people who
give a lot to the community and these awards recognise their
positive role within society. We want to recognise the
contributions that young people make so if you know somebody who
goes that extra mile for others, then make sure you nominate
them!"
Debbie Howard, Partnerships Chief Inspector for Southern
Division said: "This year the Lancashire Constabulary and its
Community Safety Partners are looking to expand the remit of
Operation Summer Nights: it will still include enforcement centred
around excessive consumption of alcohol, alcohol related crime and
underage drinking but will also include fire safety, water safety
and personal health. We will also be seeking to promote local
diversionary activities and the positive contributions that many
young people make to our communities"
Related information
> Operation
Summer Nights
> Community
Safety
> The Big
Drink Debate