Taking part in the Police specials campaign to target the sale of alcohol to young people, Rugby MP Mark Pawsey recently accompanied officers to local off licenses and supermarkets, handing out stickers and ultra violet pens to encourage premises to mark their alcohol. This innovative project aims to identify ASB hot spots where alcohol is an issue by finding out where the marked empty cans and bottles are discarded.
Speaking in the Chamber Mark said:
“I recently spent time with special police constables in Rugby, targeting antisocial behaviour and under-age drinking by sticking Alcohol Watch stickers on bottles and cans. Will the Home Secretary join me in recognising the very valuable work carried out by the special constabulary?”
The Home Secretary replied:
“Yes, I am very happy to join my hon. Friend... in recognising the valuable work that the special constabulary undertakes. Indeed, we would like to encourage more people to become specials, because they perform a very important role in policing their communities.”
After the debate Mark added:
“I am delighted that the Home Secretary has said on record how much the government values the work of the police specials. I think the Alcohol Watch scheme is a step in the right direction to tackling the problem of underage drinking. It is also important to reminded premises to sell alcohol in a responsible manner”.