Britain's 'generation of binge drinkers'
- 00:01:46
- ITN
Britain's 'generation of binge drinkers'
A man labelled "one of life's nice guy's" has been badly beaten after complaining to a gang of drunks urinating in his garden.The incident comes as a leading police chief warned Britain is breeding a generation of binge drinkers and cheap booze is to blame.Gareth Avery's attack is just one example of the heightened concerns about crimes involving underage drinkers. Just this week a gang of teens who beat to death father of three Garry Newlove were jailed for life.Ken Jones, president of the Association of Chief Police Officers, blames parents and the drinks industry for filling A&E wards and police stations with boozed-up youngsters.Mr Jones demanded: "Why is it we have got ourselves into a position where lager is being sold cheaper than water? Why is it we have got huge entertainment and drinks companies marketing alcohol to children?"We've got a generation of binge-drinkers now who have become habituated to that.""Elements of the industry are taking their role much more seriously, but I have to say many more are not. We can't allow them to continue to export their negative costs on to the streets, hospitals and into the criminal justice system. It's got to stop."Home Secretary Jacqui Smith announced this month that police will have tougher powers to confiscate booze from underage drinkers.© Independent Television News Limited 2008. All rights reserved.
ITN | February 14, 2008
