Alcohol seized by police during under-age drinking crackdown
alcohol campagin
BEER and lager confiscated from youngters in Berwickshire was amongst a sizeable haul of alcohol seized by Lothian and Borders Police during a festive crackdown on under-age drinking.
In the lead up to Christmas and new year, Locality Integration Police Officers attended high schools throughout the Borders to raise awareness of the potential consequences for young people’s health and well being as a result of consuming alcohol.
Following their visits, officers carried out regular patrols throughout the festive period, focusing particularly on school dances, where some of the alcohol was confiscated.
However, the seven bottles of Budweiser and numerous cases of lager taken from under age drinkers in Berwickshire weren’t found on school property.
Safer Communities Inspector, John Scott said “My officers have been working with secondary school pupils and teaching staff to raise awareness of the effects and potential dangers for young people consuming alcohol. The purpose of this initiative was two fold; to make sure young people were better informed about the dangers of consuming alcohol, and as a preventative measure to reduce the potential for young people to engage in alcohol-related antisocial behaviour.
“Alcohol causes significant problems within the Scottish Borders, in particular when consumed by young people, and this initiative is one of many measures in place to protect our young people and ensure the region remains a safe place to live”.
“A number of young people chose to ignore our advice, resulting in my officers seizing over 50 litres of alcohol. In one incident alone, local officers seized over £60 worth of alcohol from two local youths.
“However, it is also important to recognise that not all young people are drinking alcohol on a regular basis, or even at all. The Scottish Schools Adolescent Lifestyle and Substance User Survey (2011) indicated that over 80% of 15 year olds are not regularly drinking; an improvement on the 61% reported in 2006.
Julie Murray, Scottish Borders Alcohol and Drugs Partnership co-ordinator added: “We are seeing a downward trend in youngsters trying alcohol and in those claiming to drink regularly which is very positive.”
“The Alcohol and Drugs Partnership are committed to raising awareness of the impact and potential dangers for young people’s health and well-being through consuming alcohol. We would encourage parents of young people to assist and support us in efforts to combat this problem”.
If any member of the public is concerned about the well-being of a young person or alternatively, a young person is concerned regarding their alcohol consumption and would like some advice, they are asked to contact face2face 01896 668811 or www.face2faceborders.com or Hawick Police Station on 01450 375051.
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Monday 21 May 2012
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