An Ashfield police officer has won a national award for his work tackling underage drinking in Sutton and Huthwaite.

Sgt Martin Severn, from Nottinghamshire Police, has received a Community Alcohol Partnership (CAP) Award of Excellence for his work in setting up, chairing and coordinating the Sutton CAP and creating a new CAP in Huthwaite.

CAPs are made up of partnerships between retailers, local authorities, police, schools, neighbourhood groups and health providers, working together to help communities tackle alcohol-related harm to young people and improve the quality of life for residents.

They aim to reduce the sale of alcohol to young people, advise them on the dangers of drinking and provide alcohol-free activities through youth services and local charities.

Sgt Severn said: “Underage drinking happens everywhere and working to reduce it helps to create better, safer and friendlier neighbourhoods.

“We think everyone in the area will benefit from the work we are planning.

“We have been running a CAP in Sutton for the past couple of years and it has made a noticeable difference — retailers are more aware of the issues of underage drinking and proxy purchasing, while resident surveys have shown reductions in the number of people who feel underage drinking is a problem and those who feel unsafe as a result of such behaviour.”

Pictured is Sgt Martin Severn (centre) with Inspector Glenn Longden (right) and Alan Simpson, community alcohol partnerships officer, at the Huthwaite CAP launch at All Saints’ Community Centre, Huthwaite.