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Wigan Council's network of CCTV cameras is being used to crack down on irresponsible adults who buy alcohol for children. And if that's the kind of thing you do, there's a good chance you've already been caught on camera. Shops and off licences across the borough are coming under the spotlight as part of a major council and police operation to halt the flow of booze to underage children. The council's bank of more than 600 cameras is being used as the latest weapon in the battle against alcohol-fuelled anti-social behaviour. From the council's new state-of-the-art CCTV control room, fixed and mobile cameras are being used to focus on hot-spot areas and identify adults going into shops to buy alcohol and then passing it on to children. The message from the council and police is: if you're caught, you're in trouble. Wigan Council's Safer Neighbourhood Services Manager Michell Woodburn, says: "The council's CCTV system is a valuable tool in making our neighbourhoods safer. CCTV has been monitoring anti-social behaviour hot spot areas to gather evidence. We are determined to use all the resources available to us to help make our borough a safer place to be." The operation has already begun to net results - so far five adults are facing prosecution for buying bottles of booze and then handing them on to children in broad daylight. More incidents are being investigated and the council's Trading Standards team and police are currently examining more CCTV footage. The crackdown coincides with the start of the school summer holidays when more children and young people will be on the streets during the day. Chief Trading Standards Officer Julie Middlehurst says: "We are all too aware of the problems that can be caused when children and young people get hold of alcohol. "Anti-social behaviour affects everyone and we are determined to make it as difficult as possible for young people to have access to alcohol." Julie adds: "You may think it is harmless, or that you are just doing someone a favour but you need to realise that if you buy booze for children you are taking a very big risk." "Thanks to this new operation there is a good chance you'll get caught and once you are you're looking at least an £80 on-the-sport fine and possibly up to s £5,000 fine and a criminal record." Trading Standards officer regularly visit the borough's shops and off licences to keep staff informed of the laws and what their responsibilities are. "The vast majority of shops are working with us and doing their best to prevent the sale of alcohol to young people," says Julie. "But we will come down hard on those that are not. "There are implications for shops when adults go in to buy alcohol for children. If the alcohol is being handed over right outside the shops then we expect staff to act responsible and prevent this from happening. Licensees who are found not taking reasonable steps to stop this type of behaviour could risk losing their licence." The team is also urging members of the public who may have information about areas where either alcohol is being sold or passed on to children to let the police or Trading Standards know. Wigan Police Divisional Licensing Officer PC Ian Liptrot says: "The issue of people over 18 who buy alcohol and misguidedly pass it on to minors is one of great concern. We and our partners are rigorously seeking to eradicate the problem and will prosecute anyone caught committing this offence. "Alcohol-related anti-social behaviour places great demands on the police and makes life in local communities very difficult. People convicted of this offence can expect to be dealt with severely by the court." - You can report any concerns about underage alcohol sales to Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06 (calls charged at local rate) and Greater Manchester Police on 0161 872 5050
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