Scheme aims to cut underage drinking in town

While focused on young people, the Cromer initiative will also work with retailers to make sure alcohol is not sold to under-18s

An initiative to tackle underage drinking has been launched in a seaside town.

The Community Alcohol Partnership (CAP) will run activities in Cromer, Norfolk, and have open conversations about underage drinking to ensure young people are well equipped to make decisions.

It is the sixth such initiative set up in the county.

Kate Winstanley, director of CAP, said: "We also know that the work CAPs do in local communities can lead to significant reductions in alcohol supply to children."

'Work more effectively'

There are already projects in place in King's Lynn, Sheringham, Gorleston, Caister and Great Yarmouth.

The partnership in Cromer is a collaboration between Norfolk Police, North Norfolk District Council, Cromer Town Council, Everyone Active, Trading Standards, licensing, schools, alcohol retailers and the community.

On X, police said the initiative would allow them to "work more effectively with local residents, businesses, and agencies to tackle alcohol-related problems - particularly involving young people and anti-social behaviour".

The project also works along retailers to help them avoid making under-age sales, and reduce proxy sales, where under-18s are bought alcohol by adults.

Ms Winstanley said: "We know from extensive research that underage drinking can lead to school and educational problems, as well as unsafe sex, drug-taking, violence and drinking problems in later life.

"We also know that the work CAPs do in local communities can lead to significant reductions in alcohol supply to children, alcohol-related anti-social behaviour and underage street drinking in local communities."