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ITN
Cop blames booze for violence
Cop blames booze for violence
A chief constable has blamed alcohol and parents who "abdicate" responsibility for youth disorder.Cheshire Chief Constable Peter Fahy said the death of father-of-three Garry Newlove, after a confrontation outside his Warrington home, had reopened the debate about the causes and consequences of anti-social behaviour.He said police were "engaged in a constant battle against antisocial behaviour and alcohol-induced violence"."Parents should be the key to tackling this problem," said the chief constable."They are responsible for their children - and that responsibility is not abdicated when they become teenagers."Most of the bad behaviour is fuelled by alcohol - much of it supplied by adults - including some parents."He added: "Alcohol is too cheap and too readily available and is too strong. Young people cannot handle it."Three teenage boys have appeared in court charged with the murder of Mr Newlove who died of massive head injuries on Sunday.Two 15-year-olds and one 16-year-old appeared at Runcorn Youth Court. An 18-year-old man arrested on Monday is helping police with their inquiries. Three others have been released.Members of Mr Newlove's family, who were due to go to Lanzarote on Wednesday, released a letter written by the youngest of his three daughters, Amy, 12, as he fought for his life in hospital.It said: "I can't get across how much I will miss you and I don't know what I would do without you. You have always been there for me when I am down and you always put a smile on my face (even if it is a rubbish joke)."You mean the world to me and I wouldn't change you for the world. We will deeply miss you and want you to know you are the best dad anyone can wish for. I love you, from your darling daughter who loves you so much and from the whole family."Mike Roscoe, who had known Mr Newlove for 30 years, said: "They were your typical, happy family. I spoke to Helen yesterday and she is distraught, there's no other word for it."He said Mr Newlove had survived stomach cancer around 11 years ago, when Amy was "just months old".© Independent Television News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.
ITN | August 14, 2007
