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Enjoying a pint.
So setting a bad example for the kids.
They should be locked up.
Just like everyone else in Britain. |
Thousands of children face having a criminal record if they are caught
holding a can of beer, under plans being considered by ministers.
The proposals would mean that any under-18s found by police with alcohol
would receive a criminal conviction, which would have to be declared to
future employers.
Jacqui Smith, the Home Secretary, said earlier this month that ministers
were looking at tightening confiscation rules which allow police
officers to remove alcohol from teenagers.
However, yesterday Vernon Coaker, the Home Office minister, took the
move further by saying that officials were examining whether to make
possession of alcohol by someone under 18 a criminal offence. Coaker
revealed that a review of how police deal with problem drinking would
consider whether children caught with alcohol should get criminal
records.
It's something we are not saying we are going to do, but it is
something that has been raised with us, he said.
Under the Confiscation of Alcohol (Young Persons) Act 1997, police can
confiscate cans of lager or bottles of wine if they reasonably believe
that teenagers are drinking, or are about to drink, the alcohol.
The most likely sanction is a fine but officials are also deciding
whether these fines should become part of a criminal record.
Campaigners warned against criminalising teenagers just for having one
can of lager or bottle of wine on their way to a party.
Frank Soodeen, from Alcohol Concern, said: We are concerned about the
unnecessary criminalisation of young people for drinking. The fact is
that large numbers of kids are getting their alcohol from older friends
and relations.
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