October 13, 2004: Ten years ago, Kingston moved to call time on the problems caused by excessive drinking.

The move was sparked by a number of worrying statistics, including:

  • 38 per cent of men and 15 per cent of women engaged in “hazardous drinking”
  • 9,070 residents were dependent on alcohol
  • Violent crime had soared by a fifth, mainly due to alcohol

To combat these, a ground-breaking conference was called, bringing together health and voluntary workers, the police, trading standards, Kingston Council and Kingston University.

Roy Taylor, chairman of the Kingston drug and alcohol action team (DAAT), which organised the conference, said: “DAAT and other partners are determined to develop a programme for Kingston to embrace all the issues.”

One of the biggest problems was excess drinking by youngsters.

Young people drank more, and more often.

Statistics showed by the age of 13 young people who drink outnumbered those who did not.

The figures also showed one in seven 16 to 24-year-olds had had unprotected sex after drinking, and one fifth of pupils excluded from schools were sent home because they had been drinking.

Youth alcohol worker Sharon Jones said: “Unlike other substances, alcohol is seen as culturally acceptable and teenagers learn this from a young age.

"Drinking alcohol is seen as a passage into adulthood.”

Drinking also contributed to youth crime.

Chief Inspector Tim Pointer, from Kingston police, said: “Door policies of nightclubs around Kingston are incredibly strict.

“From what we see, there are not under-age drinkers in any pubs or clubs. Under-age drinkers are either getting their supplies from off-licences or from home.”

Ted Forsyth, from trading standards, said: “We know that young people are getting booze, but we do not know if they are buying it or getting it from home, or stealing it, or getting older people to buy it for them.”

  • 50 YEARS AGO

October 10, 1964: Women in a crowded Malden supermarket continued with their shopping unaware that fire had broken out above their heads.

Workmen were burning rubbish in an uncompleted room above Safeway in Malden Road.

The fire got out of hand, but firefighters brought it under control quickly.

  • 25 YEARS AGO

October 13, 1989: Plans to build Britain’s biggest-ever shopping complex in Hook were finally dropped.

Developers realised they were unlikely to succeed in the £100m bid to build Elmbridge Mall, and withdrew the application.

Government ministers had recently given speeches on the sanctity of green belt land.

  • 10 YEARS AGO

October 13, 2004: Kingston residents were told it was time to tighten up their taps and save water while they could.

London was in danger of drying up within a decade, Greater London Assembly members warned 10 years ago.

Thames Water said 945m litres of water leaked from its system every day.