A HIGH profile campaign was launched in West Craven this week to "Keep Kids Sober".

Throughout the year, but especially in the summer, a problem has been identified with youths drinking in the streets and causing trouble.

Although the drinking itself is an offence, the real problems are other offences and general anti-social behaviour that stem from it.

Previous campaigns have targeted local retailers who are keen to work with the police and not sell alcohol to under-18s. But the new campaign, supported by Pendle Council and The Craven Herald, will take a different approach.

It will tackle the problem of adults, especially those just over 18, buying alcohol and passing it on to under-age drinkers. It will urge those people to think long and hard about the possible consequences of their action.

The "Keep Kids Sober" initiative is a partnership between the police and off-licences in West Craven.

Every time someone buys alcohol, they will be given a leaflet spelling out the dangers of passing it on to under-age drinkers.

The leaflet reads: "If you have purchased this alcohol for your own consumption, we hope you enjoy it. If, however, you intend to pass it to a young person under 18, please think about this.

"During the year 2000, a total of 238 offences were committed in West Craven by young people under the influence of alcohol. These offences included assaults, violent disorder and damage to vehicles and property. Please help us to prevent the residents of West Craven from becoming the victims of drink-related crime."

Large, highly visible posters will also be put up in off-licences, warning that: "Alcohol and kids is an explosive cocktail.... and it's against the law."

The initiative was launched on Tuesday at Barnoldswick's Rainhall Drinks Company, which last year won the Booker Prize as the best off-licence in Britain.

Its owners, Alan Sagar and Penny Greenwood, and all their staff are vigilant about not serving alcohol to under-18s. If there is any doubt about a customer's age, they will always ask for ID.

Consequently, they don't have a big problem with youths trying to buy from the shop, but they have no way of knowing when an adult buys alcohol who it is intended for.

"We're delighted to be involved with the launch of this scheme," said Alan.

"We're part of the community in Barnoldswick and we'll do everything we can to protect and preserve the quality of life for people here. This campaign will help us to do that by encouraging our customers to be responsible and reminding them what under-age drinking can lead to."

PC Karl Pickles, who represented the police at the launch, said the initiative was a good example of POP - Problem Oriented Policing - where a particular problem was clearly identified and the police then worked closely with partners in the community to come up with an effective way to tackle it.

Anyone who is approached and asked to buy alcohol for someone else, or sees under-age children drinking alcohol, is urged to speak to any police officer or phone the police on 01282 425001.