A graded approach is adopted when tackling anti-social behaviour caused by young people. The integrated procedure involves working in partnership with Northumbria Police, South Tyneside Early Prevention Panel (STEPP) and voluntary agencies.
The key aim is to get young people to engage in early intervention, minimising the risk of repeated incidents of low-level anti-social behaviour. The graded approach also offers voluntary support to young people who have issues around alcohol and drug use.
Underage sales of alcohol and proof of age card
We have a test purchasing scheme for sales of alcohol to under 18 year olds and proof of age cards to 11-18 year olds.
For a number of years we have adopted a proactive approach to reduce illegal sales of age-restricted products, such as alcohol and fireworks. Whilst maintaining a robust enforcement policy against those traders who flout their responsibilities, we are also keen to work with traders who want to comply.
Our strategy for tackling illegal sales is structured using increasing levels of action:
- produce and distribute written guidance for all traders selling age restricted products
- visits, often with police and fire service, to remind retailers of their responsibilities and issuing warnings to those believed to be selling illegally
- investigate further complaints, utilising various methods such as surveillance of the premises and test purchasing using volunteer children
- legal proceedings against offenders without further warning
We were also one of the first authorities to introduce a successful proof of age card scheme in partnership with Citizencard. All secondary pupils in the Borough have been given the opportunity to obtain a card.
