Last year there were 2,625 alcohol-related 999 calls involving under-18 year olds. Analysis of the figures by borough show that the most calls came from Richmond where where 5% of all calls for patients aged 17 and younger were down to alcohol.
The second busiest borough was Westminster with Kensington & Chelsea a close third.
Deputy Director of Operations Jason Killens said: “Every time we send an ambulance to somebody who dials 999 because they’re drunk, it means we can’t send that ambulance to somebody with a life-threatening condition or illness.
To curb the use of frontline ambulances in dealing with drunk youths, the service runs special ‘booze buses’ in central London every weekend. These vehicles can carry up to five patients, freeing up ambulances for those with life-threatening conditions.
Stressing that under-18’s drinking alcohol were breaking the law, Mr Killens urged them to “be sensible, to stick with their friends, and make sure they know how they’re getting home.”
