HOME Office Minister Norman Baker met Bury Council’s leader when he visited Greater Manchester to see how the county is cracking down on alcohol abuse.

Cllr Mike Connolly, who is the Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s (GMCA) lead on the strategy, helped brief the Crime Prevention Minister who saw first hand some of the innovative ways the area is pulling together to promote responsible drinking and reduce alcohol harm.

Alcohol consumption costs Greater Manchester £1.2 billion every year — which equates to £436 for every person living in the county. Greater Manchester has been designated by the Government as one of 20 new Local Alcohol Action Areas (LAAAs).

The Greater Manchester alcohol strategy – a major effort to clamp down on alcohol abuse – was launched in August by the 10 authorities of the GMCA.

It is the first time in the UK that such a large number of public bodies have united to deal with the problems caused by alcohol harm. The strategy focuses on making effective use of licensing powers, protecting victims of domestic abuse, and improving awareness of the impact of drinking, in line with national Government objectives.

During his visit, Mr Baker also met Jim Battle, deputy police and crime commissioner for Greater Manchester and students at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU), which is piloting a ground-breaking Alcohol Impact project funded by the Home Office.

The Minister said: “We are working really hard to tackle this problem at Government level so it is really pleasing to see 10 local authorities coming together with their partners in the police and health services to tackle alcohol abuse at a local level."

Cllr Connolly said: “We were pleased to welcome the Minister and for him to see the innovative and ground-breaking work which Greater Manchester is doing to beat the scourge of alcohol abuse. It is crucial that our strategy has the support of students and young people. Hopefully, through this kind of project, we can change attitudes, which will see young people have a good time while using alcohol responsibly.”

Statistics show that people battling with alcohol die earlier, go to hospital more often and struggle to hold down regular work.

Mr Battle said: “Tackling the issue of alcohol abuse and binge drinking is everybody’s business. Not only can it lead to crime and disorder in our city centres, but it puts the health and wellbeing of individuals and the wider community at risk. “