HOME Secretary David Blunkett has told Leigh MP Andy Burnham he will consider a request for more police powers to tackle under-age street drinkers.

Mr Blunkett was responding to a question raised by Mr Burnham in the House of Commons to highlight Police concerns that ambiguity in the wording of the 2001 Criminal Justice and Police Act meant officers were unable to seize unopened cans and bottles from young street boozers.

In welcoming the new ban on public drinking introduced last week in Leigh town centre the Home Secretary said he would now consider whether powers to take unopened cans and bottles should be included in the Sentencing and Criminal Justice Bill to be introduced in the next session of Parliament.

These issues will be high on the agenda at next week's public meeting to discuss the problem of youth crime and anti-social behaviour in the Lowton St Luke's and Golborne area.

Practical solutions

The meeting has been arranged in response to concerns raised by constituents with the aim of identifying the problems and practical solutions. Police Officers, members of the Wigan Council's Community Safety Team, the Youth Service and ward councillors have been invited.

The meeting is open and anyone is welcome to contribute to the discussions.

Mr Burnham said: "There can be no doubt of the strong link between drinking and anti-social behaviour by youth gangs.

"That's why I congratulate Greater Manchester Police, Wigan Council and Leigh East councillors on the work they have done to bring in the public drinking ban in Leigh.

"But to ensure the ban is truly effective, the Police need to have the power to seize unopened cans and bottles from under-age drinkers.

"I am very pleased that David Blunkett has promised to consider putting this right in a bill to be introduced in the next session of Parliament.

"Youth crime remains the top concern of many of my constituents and we need to ensure that we are doing everything possible to bear down on it.

"We also need to build confidence in our communities that something is being done to tackle this problem."

Golborne & Lowton St Luke's public meeting will be held on Thursday, June 20 from 7pm at the Methodist Church Hall, Heath Street, Golborne.