Operation Marsham - which will commence on Friday, February 8 and continue for three weekends to cover the half-term school holiday break - will see a dedicated team of police officers targeting public areas across the borough, to confiscate drink from underage drinkers.

As a national initiative aimed at tackling the issues of underage drinking and alcohol-fuelled anti-social behaviour across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the Home Office has provided funding for the operation.

Police will also be piloting the use of Rapid Alcohol Screening Tests, that can instantly detect alcohol content in any bottled drink and which will be used to identify and confiscate alcohol hidden within soft drink containers.

All alcohol seized will be collected by the officers of Operation Marsham and destroyed.

Any underage drinker caught by police may also be liable for prosecution. Adults detected purchasing or supplying alcohol for use by juveniles can also expect prosecution.

Superintendent Jonathan Kearney, head of community safety for the district, will lead operation Marsham.

"Underage drinking often leads to criminal damage, assault and fear of crime for residents in areas subject to this kind of anti-social behaviour. It presents a significant issue to our local communities, as well as Northern Ireland as a whole," Supt. Kearney said.

He added: "Operation Marsham will involve officers from across a number of departments, working together to address these issues in a targeted way. We want to send a message to those juveniles who drink in public areas and exhibit anti-social behaviour that this will not be tolerated.

"We know, however, that underage drinking is not just confined to the school holiday period. After this operation ends, we will continue to work with our local communities and schools to increase awareness of this issue and tackle the associated anti-social behaviour that it causes."

On completion of Operation Marsham, Supt. Kearney and his team will work to share lessons learned with other colleagues, in an effort to address similar issues across Northern Ireland.

Local DUP councillor and chairperson of Antrim DPP, Pam Lewis, has welcomed the announcement by the PSNI that D District, which includes Antrim, will be involved in the initiative.

"Underage drinking in public places and the associated anti-social behaviour is an ever growing problem. Many people in the community are unfortunately subjected to the consequences of young people at the weekend involved in this regrettable lifestyle. This leads to communities being subjected to criminal damage, assaults, disturbance and constant fear as the trademark of what is described by those involved as, 'their way of enjoying themselves'" Cllr.Lewis said.

She added: "This focus by the police over the next three weekends with dedicated teams of officers targeting public areas is something that is long over due. I hope that we will not just see a high profile campaign and then after the funding is gone, resources used as an excuse as to why this problem is not being addressed on an ongoing basis.

"Alcohol poses a higher risk to the health of young people in both the short and long term and we need to keep our children away from its effects. Campaigns such as this are one way of sending out a clear message that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated."

Cllr. Lewis said it should also hope to serve as a reminder to those who would sell alcohol to minors that this practice is "illegal and unacceptable" that it remains a regular feature in some of our office licences, pubs and supermarkets.

"There is a constant need for managers to provide more training and support for front-line staff if they are to identify and rebuff minors trying to buy alcoholic products in the first place," Cllr. Lewis said.
She added: "Zero tolerance should be adopted, I hope this campaign will ultimately lead to that."