London's underage booze culture must be 'stamped out'- Teather

5.26.01pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 1st Sep 2005

Sarah Teather MP talking to local NHS nurses

Liberal Democrat MP for Brent East Sarah Teather has today urged the Government to 'stamp out' London's underage booze culture.

In 2002, just 12 businesses in London were prosecuted for selling alcohol to children. At a time when the number of children in London admitted to hospital because of alcohol related problems has increased by 42% in the last two years.

Liberal Democrat Sarah Teather MP for Brent East said:

"London's underage drinking culture must be stamped out. We have generations of children growing up thinking that drinking to excess is normal.

"Much more should be done to educate children about the effects of alcohol. Children must be made aware of the health risks they face when they drink to such excess.

"Too many Londoners are afraid to go out at night past gangs of youths drinking themselves senseless. Tackling the booze crisis would help cut anti-social behaviour and save precious NHS resources.

"The Government can know longer hide its head in the sand over this issue. It must get to grips with the nation's booze epidemic."