Suburbs suffer with London's worst child drinking problems

CHILDREN from the suburbs have the worst alcohol problems in London, new figures reveal today.

Those in outer areas such as Kingston and Richmond are up to six times more likely to get drunk than those living in the centre.

Only a quarter from outer boroughs say they have never touched an alcoholic drink while well over half the children living in areas such as Camden and Islington do not drink.

The findings, based on an Ofsted survey of 11- to 14-year-olds, also show that more than one in 10 children in the capital have been drunk once or twice in their lives.

The survey comes as the Government today issued advice to parents warning them not to let children under 15 drink. In addition, they were told that alcohol is "hazardous" for older teenagers and are being advised to supervise 15- to 17-year-olds who drink. The advice is that older children can safely try small amounts of wine and low-strength beers with parental supervision but Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson said that an alcohol-free childhood is the best option.

Dr Donaldson's advice will set a new template for government alcohol policy, but sources say ministers are wary of condoning drinking by under-15s.

One source said: "This is advice for parents who want it, not a nanny-state attempt to tell people how to raise their own kids."

Margaret Morrissey, spokeswoman for Parents Outloud, said: "The dilemma is that unless you introduce them slowly to drinking, when they do start at 15 or 16 they go absolutely ballistic. Maybe there is something to be said for what happens in France where you can get diluted wine for youngsters." Alcohol Concern said urgent action was needed to tackle the damage caused by young people drinking.

Chief executive Don Shenker said: "It is clear that we must urgently address the harm that young people, families and the community experience as a result of youth drinking and alcohol misuse and encourage parents and carers to think about and eventually change their own drinking behaviour.

"It is also time for a much more holistic approach to tackling young people's alcohol consumption that brings together education, treatment and enforcement and public awareness of the potentially harmful long-term implications of heavy drinking during adolescence."

A total of 680 alcohol-related admissions in London each year are for children under 18.

Department of Children, Schools and Families data shows that children regularly take alcohol from home. Nearly half of 11- to 15-year-olds claiming to drink 14 or more units a week say they get the alcohol from their parents.

Ed Balls, the children's secretary, instigated the review. He has said previously that he wants British children to be more sensible in their approach to alcohol. Mr Balls said that at 16 or 17 he was allowed "a small glass of wine at lunch on a Sunday or a shandy or a Babycham at Christmas".