GCSE Students Warned About Under-Age Drinking

THAMES Valley Police has appealed to GCSE students who get their results tomorrow (23/8,) not to drink alcohol when celebrating or commiserating over their grades.
The force is reminding GCSE pupils that, despite reaching another milestone in their education, they are still not old enough to buy alcohol or go out drinking unless they are having a meal.

Chief Supt Shaun Morley, the police commander for Oxfordshire, said: ?My officers don?t want to spoil the fun of celebrating passing your exams, but they will not tolerate drinking by those under 18.
“Underage drinking leads to anti-social behaviour and drunken teenagers are more likely to become victims of crime. You are also putting your health at risk and there are strong links between high levels of alcohol consumption youth offending, teenage pregnancy, truancy, exclusion and illegal drug misuse.
“Deaths from liver cirrhosis have also risen in the 25-34 age group, which is thought to be a consequence of increased drinking starting at an earlier age.”

GCSE students are reminded that it is an offence to:
? Sell alcohol to a person under 18
? Buy alcohol for a person under 18 on licensed premises
? Deliver alcohol to a person under 18
? Buy or attempt to buy alcohol by a person under 18.

Police officers have the power to confiscate alcohol from anyone they know or reasonably believe to be under 18 who is drinking in a public place.