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Don't let drink ruin A-level results party, students warned
15 August 2012
WEST Midlands Police is reminding the region’s young people to celebrate safely this Thursday (16 August) as A-level results are revealed.
Neighbourhood officers have visited supermarkets, off-licenses, pubs and clubs over the last few days to raise awareness of results day and to reinforce laws governing the sale of alcohol.
Patrol officers will keep an eye on local colleges as pupils collect results before later shifting their focus to parks and commercial centres where groups of young people traditionally get together to celebrate.
Although many students will be old enough to drink alcohol, police are urging them to enjoy themselves safely and know their limits.
Superintendent Mark Payne, force lead for children and young people, said: “Achieving great exam results, leaving college and moving onto the next stage in your life is a wonderful cause for celebration for any teenager.
"It’s not surprising the first reaction for many is to let off some steam - but that can't manifest itself in drunken, anti-social behaviour. If it does, they run the risk of being arrested...the last thing we want is for anyone to end up committing drunken offences and potentially picking up a conviction which could affect future university or employment applications.
“Our officers don’t want to stop anyone from enjoying themselves – all we ask is that you do so sensibly, within the law, and don’t take any unnecessary risks with your personal safety.”
General personal safety advice for young people celebrating this week:
- Plan you journey home before heading out
- Be aware of your surroundings and keep your belongings close
- At the end of a party, don’t leave any of your friends behind
- Never leave your drinks unattended
- Let your parent or guardian know where you are going to be
- Consider others – think about how your behaviour may have a negative impact on other people
- Everyone has different tolerance levels – be mindful of other people who feel particularly vulnerable to large groups and noise
- Avoid shortcuts like alleyways, waste ground and wooded, bushy areas
- Listen to your instincts – if you are worried, frightened or think you may be in danger, call 999
- Never drink and drive. Drugs and alcohol affect people differently – you can’t calculate your limit, so don’t attempt it
- Don’t offer alcohol to someone you know is driving
- Don’t accept a lift from someone you know has been drinking or taking drugs
For more personal safety advice, visit www.safer-streets.org
It is against the law:
- For someone under 18 to purchase alcohol, attempt to purchase alcohol or to be sold alcohol in any circumstances*
- For an adult to buy or attempt to buy alcohol on behalf of someone under 18
- To sell alcohol to someone under 18, anywhere
- For someone under 18 to drink alcohol in licensed premises, with one exception – 16 and 17 year olds accompanied by an adult can drink but not buy beer, wine and cider with a table meal
- For an adult to buy alcohol for a person under 18 for consumption on licensed premises, except as above.
*Unless acting at the request of the police or a weights and measures inspector
