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'Buy teens drink at your peril' warning
POLICE say they will come down hard on adults who buy booze for children.
The pledge comes just days after two 16-year-olds appeared in court charged with the savage attack on a Fylde teenager.
Thomas Walker, 19, had to undergo life-saving surgery – which included having part of his brain removed – after he was set upon by two thugs as he enjoyed a night out with friends in St Annes.
The two youths were part of a large group of children who had been drinking prior to the attack on The Crescent.
And Burnley Crown Court was told the booze had been bought for them by an adult.
One of the youths punched Mr Walker, who was walking on crutches due to a broken leg, before an accomplice picked up one of the crutches and hit him to the head and body.
He spent two weeks in intensive care.
PC Steve Hardman from Blackpool Police's licencing department, said the problem of adults buying booze for children was escalating.
He said: "The amount of intelligence coming in about proxy sales with adults buying alcohol for kids is on the increase.
"We believe that is a result of the number of effective test purchase operations in conjunction with Blackpool Trading Standards that we've carried out.
"These have seen a significant decrease in sales direct to under 18s.
"We are now looking at ways to catch and also deter adults who feel it is acceptable to do this."
Blackpool Police's Nightsafe team - which promotes alcohol safety in the resort - has also stepped up efforts to confiscate alcohol from youngsters in recent months by targeting parks.
Last week, The Gazette revealed how Blackpool had the highest rate in the country for booze-related deaths, while alcohol-fuelled violence is almost twice the national average.
Almost 3,000 people were admitted to hospital in the town in just a year due to drink - 62 of those were children under 18.
Margaret Froggatt, mother of Blackpool teenager Leanne Froggatt who died after a drink and drugs binge last year, has made a plea to other youngsters not to end up like her daughter.
Leanne was just 16 when she died a year ago this week.
Mrs Froggatt says she is repeatedly approached in the street by children - some as young as 12 - who want her to buy them booze.
Tim Coglan, head of Blackpool Trading Standards, added: "It's totally irresponsible and reprehensible behaviour.
"Once adults have bought alcohol for young people they do not stick around to supervise the consequences.
"This has a knockon effect with regards to anti-social behaviour and will not be tolerated in Blackpool."
In April, 80 fines were handed out to two adults caught buying alcohol for children as young as 10 in Thornton.
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Weather for Blackpool
Thursday 24 May 2012
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