Page 21 - Phonebox Magazine September 2008

Olney Neighbourhood Action Group (NAG)
NAG Questionnaire You’ve spoken... We’ve Listened
Each year the Olney NAG has to determine its next three priorities/objectives. To help us
achieve this, we delivered a NAG Questionnaire to every household in the area. We asked
everyone to let us know in the questionnaire, what their three main concerns were
regarding community safety, and quality of life in Olney. Completed forms could then be
returned in the enclosed pre-paid envelope, or taken to The Olney Centre, or Olney Police Office. Over the next few weeks we will be collating all of this information. We will then be able to complete our Neighbourhood Priority Profile, which will determine our objectives and how they can best be tackled. So, if you haven’t returned your questionnaire yet, please could we remind you to do so.
Under Age Drinking
One of NAG’s three objectives last year was the issue of Under Age Drinking in Olney. Early indications last year showed us that there was a possible reduction in under age drinking. This may have been attributable to:
G The introduction of a Drinking Control Zone.
G The co-operation of local shop and licensed premises. G The co-operation of schools and parents.
However, Olney is no different to many other towns in the country, and there now appear to be signs that the problem of under age drinking is slowly returning. Alcohol has recently been confiscated from under age drinkers, by the police, and investigations are taking place regarding adults purchasing alcohol on behalf of under age drinkers. The increase in the amount of litter that is now being found in certain parts of the town, consisting of discarded beer cans and spirits bottles, may, or may not be linked directly to this problem. The main areas affected appear to be Johnsons Field, the football ground, Weston Road Tannery Playground and Quaker Gardens.
NAG will once again be working closely with parents, the police, local schools, youth centres and local licensed premises, to try and find a solution to this problem. Posters (see below) will be sent to schools and local stores, which we hope will help to get the message across, and hopefully help to keep our young people safe.
Phonebox Magazine 21