Alcohol-related crime is targeted by police
10:58am Wednesday 26th May 2004 in News By Lucy Brinicombe
A POLICE operation to tackle alcohol-related crime in the town centres of north Kent is under way.
For the past two weeks, four officers have been patrolling the pubs and clubs of Dartford, Gravesend and Swanley as part of Operation Impact.
The operation is aimed at reducing anti-social behaviour, violent crime and underage drinking.
Last week alcohol-related crime was blamed for the rise in violent crime in north Kent.
Licensing officer Sergeant Graham James, said: "If we can tame alcohol use then our town centres will be safer places.
"This operation is all about people having a drink but doing so in a responsible way to create a safer environment for everyone."
It is hoped drinking can be stemmed by officers patrolling the town centres and visiting clubs, pubs and off-licenses.
Licensees are working closely with the police.
Dartford and Gravesham Councils and Kent Trading Standards are also involved so licences, staff and premises can be checked during the operation.
Underage drinkers are specifically being targeted during the operation.
This is because not only should they not be drinking, they are often the perpetrators or the victims of anti-social behaviour.
The operation has arisen thanks to extra funding being made available by the Government, which has made tackling binge drinking a priority.
Sergeant James says research is being carried out with the aim of setting up a night-time safety scheme, similar to those in Manchester and Norwich but tailored to north Kent's needs, if funding can be secured.
He said: "Drink plays a major role in the violence we see across the country and it's always been a problem.
"What we are trying to do is have long-term programmes to get people to behave properly once they have had a drink."
Last week News Shopper reported the increase of alcohol-related crime was partly blamed by north Kent police for the 15.9 per cent rise in violent crime over the past year.
