A BORDER town's Community Alcohol Partnership (CAP) has been nominated for a national award in recognition of work to tackle underage drinking.

Longtown CAP made the shortlist for the national Community Alcohol Partnerships award at the 2020 Community Alcohol Partnership Awards.

The partnership made the cut following the efforts made by officers to reduce antisocial behaviour, criminality and under-age drinking in the area.

Sergeant Scott Adams said: “We have seen a marked reduction in antisocial behaviour and reports of criminal offences.

“We’ve worked with schools, with licensed premises and with the young people themselves and the result has been extremely positive.

“We’ve been able to successfully identify those young people at risk of causing antisocial behaviour and engage with them.”

A total of 18 young people have been engaged with youth activities at the community centre – something police say previously did not exist, which has helped to significantly reduce the number of young people who have been drinking under-age.

Cumbria Police say a number of problem premises which sold to underage children have also been targeted, and have since passed test purchasing operations conducted with Trading Standards.

The awards will be held at the House of Commons in London on January 28 next year.