PICTURE POSED BY MODEL. File photo of a teenager drinking alcohol. Photo credit: David Jones/PA Wire

Cash rewards of up to £1,000 are being offered to people from Norwich who provide information leading to the successful charge of those selling alcohol to under 18s or adults who buy booze for youngsters.

As part of a crackdown on underage drinking across the county the independent charity Crimestoppers wants people to tell them what they know about illegal alcohol sales.

Ann Scott, eastern regional manager for Crimestoppers, is urging anyone with information, no matter how insignificant it might seem, to contact the charity and insists all calls will be anonymous.

She said: “We appreciate that not everyone feels comfortable going to the police or Trading Standards about underage and proxy sales of alcohol. No one has anything to fear by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers. You will remain 100pc anonymous”.

“Calls to the Crimestoppers’ phone number 0800 555 111 or information given through the website www.crimestoppers-uk.org are 100pc anonymous. We never ask for your name and no personal information is taken. “We do not record our calls and do not trace calls or IP addresses. Those who give information do not have to give a statement to the police or go to court. In the 24 years that the charity has been running we have never revealed anyone’s identity.”

The call for information comes after a Great Yarmouth Community Alcohol Partnership was launched in April this year by Baroness Newlove and Eric Pickles, secretary of state for communities and local government.

The partnership is made up of Norfolk Police, Norfolk County Council, Trading Standards, Great Yarmouth Borough Council, local councillors, Youth Offending Team, schools, charities, alcohol support agencies and local industry – all working together to tackle underage drinking.

Crimestoppers have joined the partnership to encourage people to give information on underage drinking and are widening their appeal from Yarmouth to the whole of Norfolk.

Miss Scott added: “Underage drinking cannot only have serious health implications for young people, it can leave them vulnerable and often a contributory factor to anti-social behaviour which impacts all members of the community. Many do not realise that buying alcohol on behalf of a young person can result in a fine of up to £5000.”

Only calls to 0800 555 111 will be eligible for a reward.