Tesco has ploughed £20,000 into a scheme designed to tackle underage drinking in central London.
The supermarket has joined forces with Islington council, local police and other retailers in an initiative known as the Community Alcohol Partnership (CAP), which aims to crack down on crime and anti-social behaviour caused by young drinkers.
The investment will help fund education programmes and support services for young people through the council’s mobile youth service, the Y Truck, and through school drama workshops discussing the dangers of excessive drinking.
Meanwhile, proxy sales – adults buying alcohol on behalf of underage drinkers – will be targeted through information sharing between the council, police and retailers.
According to the Department of Health, those who ‘binge drink’ at 16 are 60% more likely to develop a drink problem at 30 than those who do not.
“Tesco has consistently said we would play a responsible role in any discussions on pricing led by government,” said Tesco executive director Lucy Neville-Rolfe. “[But] education and collaboration are also key. That’s why we have been at the forefront in creating this London-based partnership.”
Tesco will also fund an independent review of the scheme, which will measure its impact reducing drink-related problems nine months after launch.
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