For the uninitiated this is a scheme to tackle alcohol related problems around known troublespots. Reading are due to give the go-ahead next week for a pilot scheme in Tilehurst around the Triangle. In essence they will make use of government funds to pay for a full-time worker to tackle the well-documented problems around the Triangle area where there is the constant threat of unruly behaviour by youngsters, often fuelled by alcohol. When the council has carried out test purchases in Tilehurst using under age kids, some 33% were allowed to buy alcohol illegally.

Whilst we all applaud this pilot scheme (and the results of a similar pilot in St Neots had a dramatic effect of local alcohol-related problems), it is just a shame that we have had to wait for Home Office funds to pay the £8,000 cost of a part-time Project Officer for the 6 month trial period. Other areas in Reading are not so fortunate and in the current economic climate, may have to wait a long time for similar projects. Despite all the newspaper headlines and trouble for local shopkeepers, Reading cannot run a scheme off its own back.