Vincent Fajilagmago was presented with the prestigious award by Derek Lewis, CAP chair. Pic: Matt Cetti-Roberts

Tower Hamlets’ Mile End Community Alcohol Partnership (CAP) has won a national award for the work it has done in tackling underage drinking.

Licensing officer Vincent Fajilagmago was presented with the Award for Innovation at the Westminster launch of the CAP 2017 impact report on October 10. Derek Lewis, national CAP chair, described Fajilagmago as “the driving force behind the CAP’s success in Mile End”.

Lewis said: “Our targeted approach means that we bring effective national programmes to areas with greatest harms. It is clear from the compelling body of evidence presented in this report that CAPs are making a tangible positive difference to young people, residents and local communities.

Findings from the scheme’s report show a drop of 62 per cent in anti-social behaviour by young people, something which residents are delighted with. There is also evidence of an 87 per cent decrease in alcohol seizures and an 80 per cent decrease in youth disorder.

MP Fiona Bruce, chair or the All Party Parliamentary Group on Alcohol Harm, said: “It is absolutely vital that we protect young people from the devastating effects of alcohol harm. British children are more likely to binge drink or get drunk than children in most other European countries.”

“This brings serious risks to their health and development and impacts on a wide range of issues, from underperformance at school and later exclusion from the job market, to mental health, sexual exploitation, homelessness and imprisonment.”

“I very much welcome CAP’s joined-up, partnership approach to addressing this issue”.

CAP has announced plans to double the number of CAPs around the country following the huge success seen so far.