Maidenhead & Windsor

More than 160 cans and bottles of alcohol have been confiscated and 30 test purchases carried out in a bid to crack down on anti-social and underage drinking in the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough.

The alcohol - which includes vodka, cider, lager, wine, and alcopops - was confiscated from people found drinking in alcohol-free zones, mainly in Windsor and Maidenhead town centres.

The drinks were seized by officers and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs), alongside Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough licensing officers, over a period of three weekends between 8 and 24 February.

Insp Mark Millward, Neighbourhood Inspector, said: “We know that both Windsor and Maidenhead are great places to visit for an enjoyable evening out. However, whilst we want people to have a good time, we also encourage them to drink responsibly. We will continue to confiscate alcohol from anyone who is found drinking in alcohol-free zones.”

In addition to the alcohol seizures, test purchases have been carried out by 15-year-old volunteers at a total of 30 off-licences and supermarkets across Windsor, Maidenhead and Ascot, believed to be selling alcohol to underage people.

Nine premises failed the test, seven of which were issued with on-the-spot £80 fixed-penalty fines. Further action is pending against the other two.

The tests - named Operation Legitimise – which took place on 15, 16 and 22 February, were carried out by police and licensing officers from the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council.

Speaking of the checks, Debie Pearmain, licensing officer for Thames Valley Police, said: “We will not tolerate underage drinking in the Royal Borough. If any premises are found to be selling alcohol to underage people, action will be taken against the seller and their licence could be removed.”

Councillor Jessie Gray, from the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough Council, said: “We are pleased to carry out these successful joint-agency test purchase operations. Gaining control of underage sales is crucial in our attempts to reduce anti-social behaviour and to make the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead a better place to live and work.”

Last month’s crackdown was in support of the Government’s Alcohol Confiscation Campaign 2008.

Thames Valley Police ~ Windsor and Maidenhead