New figures quietly slipped out by the Labour Government, the Tories claim, have revealed the growing level of serious alcohol abuse amongst under-age drinkers, according to the Conservatives.
The Tories point to statistics that:
‘Drunk and disorderly’ prosecutions of teenagers have soared by 25 per cent under Labour.
30,000 teenagers are now being prosecuted for being drunk and disorderly each year.
London alone has seen a doubling in the number of cases under this Government.
Yet only 23 teenagers each year are prosecuted for buying or trying to buy alcohol.
Theresa May, Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, said: "Labour’s relaxation of licensing controls has fuelled violence and anti-social behaviour on our streets. 30,000 teenagers a year are now facing the shame of criminal convictions for being drunk and disorderly on our streets, despite legally not being allowed to buy alcohol. This bad news, buried by the Labour Government during the summer holidays, will be of serious concern not only to parents, but to local residents on the receiving end of New Labour’s yob culture. At a time when more young people are abusing alcohol, it would be madness to weaken licensing laws even further and permit an explosion in late-night drinking in high streets across the country."
