SOUTHAMPTON is being given a slice of a £1.5m Government fund to tackle alcohol-fuelled crime.
The Home Office awarded Southampton an extra £30,000 as one of 50 alcohol “priority areas” to tackle under age sales, confiscate alcohol from under-18s and to carry out tougher alcohol enforcement work.
Home Office minister Alan Campbell claimed it was a “timely boost to law enforcement”.
“I fully expect this will boost the drive against alcohol-related crime and disorder, and help reduce alcohol-related problems in Southampton,” he said.
Fellow Labour minister and MP for Southampton Itchen John Denham added: “Many people have told me that they are fed up with the antisocial behaviour caused by drinking. So I welcome this action.
"Those that cause problems for others must face the consequences of their actions."
But the council’s Tory Cabinet member responsible for tackling alcohol related disorder Councillor Royston Smith said: “It’s a derisory amount of money to react to a policy the Government created.
"Most of the alcohol fuelled crime and disorder is a direct result of the relaxation of the law in the 2003 licensing act. This will do little or nothing to improve the situation."
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