| Community Alcohol Partnerships |
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Community Alcohol Partnerships were developed by the Retail of Alcohol Standards Group and local partners to address underage drinking. What began as a pilot project in St. Neots, Cambridgeshire a couple of years ago has developed into a tried and trusted method of local partnership working which delivers results. Community Alcohol Partnerships aim to tackle the problems caused by underage access to alcohol through co-operation between alcohol retailers and local stakeholders, such as Trading Standards, police, local authority licensing teams, schools and health networks. Central to the operation of CAPs is the sharing of information between partners to combat purchase and possession of alcohol by those under 18 coupled with rigorous enforcement of laws designed to tackle anti-social behaviour. The most ambitious partnership to date was launched in three areas of Kent in the early part of 2009. Independent evaluation of the projects by Kent University reinforces our view that this approach to alcohol misuse and associated anti-social behaviour offers a model which makes a real difference and harnesses Community commitment to change patterns of behaviour. The Evaluation by Kent University found that from March to September 2009 KCAP pilot areas saw a decline in offences of criminal damage some 6% greater than in non pilot areas. Based on the results of the three pilot areas, KCAP has plans to develop more schemes throughout the County. The full, independent evaluation of Kent Cap by Kent University can be found at: http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/kent/kcap.htm A toolkit to help local authorities, police and retailers, has now been designed and is available from the WSTA. To find out more about how CAP is being developed around the country , please see links to our news updates below. CAP Pilot Booklet Cap Update Autumn 2008 Update Winter 2008 Update Summer 2009 Update Dec 2009 If you would like to discuss developing a Community Alcohol Partnership in your area contact RASG Community Alcohol Partnership Officer, Philip Loring
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