Enfield Enviro Chief blasts irresponsible parenting for booze culture

ENFIELD Council’s enviro chief has launched a broadside at the lack of parental control for helping to fuel drink fuelled anti-social behaviour.

Councillor Terry Neville – cabinet member for environment said the breakdown in parental control and family was as much to blame in the rise of teenage binge boozing.

He said: “It crazy that we see on the streets all over London and the country youngsters as young as 11 drinking late into the night. What on earth are the parents doing to stop this? It is about time some parents start taking responsibility for the behaviour of their children.”

Cllr Neville was speaking after another shop owner was fined for selling alcohol to a underage youngster following a covert test purchase operation by Enfield Council.

Mr Haydan Karagoz – the licensee of Enfield Mini Market, in South Street, Ponders End pleaded guilty to Enfield Magistrates last week for selling alcohol to the youngster last Summer.

He was fined £1500 and ordered to pay £750 in costs.

Cllr Neville said: “Traders need to be extremely careful when selling alcohol to anyone who could be underage. They musts ask for ID as a matter of course – failure to do so would be highly irresponsible.

“As a Council we take a tough line on underage drinking and our approach has been commended nationally by the government.

“But some home truths must be spelled out to the parenrts. Why are they allowing their children to stay out late at night and drink and become exposed to becoming a victim or becoming involved in crime.

“Allowing their children to stay out and drink is a dereliction of their duty to their child and the community.”

This document was last updated on 2008-04-08 11:34:02 published by the Communications team. Document Reference:LBE_132645