A CRACKDOWN on underage drinking in Delancey Park has been successful, says PC Karl Addis.

Now he wants to tackle the root of the problem – siblings copying older brothers and sisters.

PC Addis (pictured) took over policing the area eight months ago, but he was worried that during the school holidays there could be more problems.

‘In fact, the summer has been fantastic,’ he said.

‘The area has really improved. When St Sampson’s High School moved, there began to be less litter. Also there used to be children drinking during the night and day, but that’s become better.’

He said there was no easy way to have such a dramatic change in an area.

‘It’s about high visibility, neighbourhood policing. It could work in other parts of the island, but this kind of work is very labour intensive.’

He hoped now to tackle the cause of the problem.

‘Often older brothers and sisters came down here drinking, and younger siblings wanted to emulate them,’ he said.

‘If I caught them I’d take them home with a warning and I haven’t seen any of them drinking down here again. But I want to go into schools and re-educate children.’