Festival warning for underage drinkers

UNDERAGE drinkers are the focus of an initiative to make sure Liverpool's 2012 Mathew Street Music Festival is a safe and enjoyable event for all. Measures are being put in place to encourage people to drink sensibly during the 2 day August bank holiday event from 26 August to 27 August 2012, with the aim of clamping down on any underage drinking that may take place in the City Centre. For the first time during the event, officers from Merseyside Police will be carrying out 'dip-tests' on young people's drinks which they suspect may be alcoholic. The chemically treated strip of card will be dipped into a drink and will identify whether it contains any alcohol. If underage drinking is taking place, the youngsters will be asked to dispose of the drink in 'honesty bins' at key locations across the festival site. The city council's alcohol and tobacco unit and licensing team have also been visiting pubs and clubs across the city centre, encouraging them to challenge anyone who they think may be drinking underage. This is part of the Challenge 21 initiative, which requires bar staff to ask for valid passports or driving licences if there is a query of the age of the person buying alcohol. Student IDs will not be accepted. And, as recently announced, a special alcohol-free area has been set up at St John's Gardens. Known as Strawberry Fields, the area is targeted at families with young children and will have street theatre, craft workshops, face and body painting, holistic therapies, drumming workshops, giant Beatles puppets, healthy refreshment concessions and picnic areas. Liverpool City Council's Mayoral Lead for Community Safety, Councillor Peter Brennan, said:- "These initiatives are all about making this a safe and enjoyable event for everyone. It's our aim to make all of our free, cultural events family-friendly, and there is a very small minority of people who drink to excess and can mar the amazing live music experience for others. We're particularly targeting under-18s and want to send a clear message out that underage drinking will not be tolerated, and alcohol will be confiscated if necessary. The introduction of areas such as Strawberry Fields is extremely important and will give people the chance to have a break from the hustle and bustle of the City Centre streets during an extremely busy long weekend." A 'Stay Safe' area will also be in operation at St George's Hall between 1pm and 7pm on each day of the festival, where children, under the age of 17, who are lost or are showing signs of intoxication or anti-social behaviour can be taken and returned to their parents.

Advice to festival-goers includes:-

Drink sensibly and do not bring glass into the festival area

Drink only at the stage areas, and drinking in between these areas can lead to confiscation of alcohol and a possible fine of up to £500

Don't leave drinks unattended

Don't accept drinks from strangers

Use plastic bottles and dispose of them in the recycling bins provided

Superintendent Simon Irving of Merseyside Police, said:- "A major policing operation has been put in place to support the event organisers and their stewards to ensure that members of the public can enjoy all the facilities in the city centre. There will be a large number of police officers on the streets throughout the city centre, who will be providing a reassuring presence and making sure that visitors to the city can enjoy the entertainment in safety. Drinking of alcohol in the street will only be allowed within designated areas and the City Council by-law which bans the drinking of alcohol in the street will be strictly enforced in the other areas of the city centre. My officers will be clamping down on those people who think it is ok to drink excessively at the event and any underage drinking that may take place within the City Centre. Motorists are advised to avoid the City Centre if possible as it could become congested. The majority of the City Centre car parks will be open and access can be gained using the designated routes which will be sign posted. Public transport will be limited on Bank Holiday Monday so members of the public should consider how they are going to get home and check with the relevant transport provider beforehand. Merseyside Police stresses that in previous years there has been a limited number of arrests, despite the huge crowds. Merseyside Police urges that revellers will help to ensure that the Mathew Street Music Festival will remain an enjoyable day for everyone."

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Mathew Street Music Festival which also celebrates 50 years since Ringo joined John, Paul and George to make the final line-up of The Beatles.

For full details of the 2 day line up and the latest news visit:- mathewstreetfestival.com. Alternatively, follow the event on Twitter:- @mathewstreet or search for Mathew Street Festival on Facebook.