Cardiff Community Alcohol Partnership has received a national award for its work promoting safe drinking among the city’s student population.
CAP co-chair Ian Tumelty, Business Crime Reduction Manager at FOR Cardiff, Cardiff Against Business Crime and coordinator of the Cardiff Business Partnership Night-Time Economy Group, was at CAP’s celebration event at Westminster on June 6 to receive the award.
The award was presented by Miles Beale, Chief Executive of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association. He said:
“I am delighted to present this award for work in reaching out to 18-25 year olds to Cardiff CAP, which has worked so hard to reduce anti-social behaviour, alcohol-related violence and health risks from high levels of intoxication among students.
The Cardiff CAP was set up in 2018 – the first to address alcohol use in the student population – working alongside the universities and college, students’ unions, police, Cardiff Council, the Cardiff and Vale Local Public Health Team and the night-time economy.
Cardiff CAP is a fantastic example of the power of partnership to bring together and build a fantastic range of resources, training and support to encourage the positive health and wellbeing of its student population. Many congratulations to Lauren, Ian and to Cardiff CAP.”
Since CAP was created 15 years ago, more than 250 schemes have been launched in England, Scotland and Wales. They bring together local stakeholders with a shared interest in preventing underage drinking and encouraging responsible drinking among young adults.
CAP partnerships are made up of retailers, local authorities, police, schools, neighbourhood groups and health providers, all working together to protect young people from alcohol harm.
In January 2020, the Cardiff Community Alcohol Partnership was awarded CAP of the Year (Wales) at the annual CAP celebration at the House of Lords.
CAP’s annual report, launched at the event, shows how this innovative partnership approach has brought significant reductions to children’s drinking, anti-social behaviour and underage sales in areas where it has created local partnerships.
Nationally, CAP evaluations show:
- 62% reduction in weekly drinking for 13-16 year olds
- After CAP training, 98% of retailers passed a Challenge 25 compliance test – from an average baseline of 50%
- 42% reduction in anti-social behaviour
- 68% reduction in residents reporting children and young people drinking in public places to be a very big or fairly big problem
CAP Director Kate Winstanley says:
“I’m delighted that in CAP areas around the country we are seeing such sustained reductions in regular drinking and anti-social behaviour among young people. CAPs are having a significant impact on reducing children’s alcohol consumption, improving their health and wellbeing and enhancing the communities where they live.”
CAP’s 2021/2022 annual report can be viewed here.