A new campaign to crack down on underage drinking has seen police warning adults in West Lothian off buying booze for teenagers - and shopkeepers from selling it to them.
The force hopes the threat of jail and a hefty fine is helping a wider campaign to tackle youth disorder in local communities.
Introduced in the Spring, the “It'll Cost You” campaign followed a spate of high profile incidents around the county including in Howden Park, Livingston, and in Broxburn.
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Community officers in that town began talking to local shopkeepers last Autumn after regular reports of drunken behaviour in the Stewartfield area amid claims that taxis were delivering carry-outs to gangs of drunken youths..
Following the council’s Summer recess police have been advising local area committees across the country about the campaign which has been driven by social media and posters, as well as visits to off-licences to talk to shopkeepers.
Police acknowledged that alcohol misuse continues to be a problem in local communities, but there is optimism that the campaign will kick-start change.
The West Lothian scheme features distinctive advertising images of handcuffs fashioned out of beer can tops. The West Lothian work has been part of a national campaign against street drinking and youth disorder. It followed successful pilot projects in neighbouring North Lanarkshire council area.
Speaking at a meeting of East Livingston and East Calder Local Area Committee, John Sives of the Joint Forum of Community Councils asked how successful the campaign had been. He said that community councils would be happy to promote the campaign though their own websites and community social media.
He had witnessed youths drinking in East Calder’s park and asked: “Has there been any prosecutions?”
Recently appointed Community Sgt Lee Brodie told the meeting: “ I’m not aware of any prosecution and I’d like to hope the campaign is having a deterrent effect, though I cannot speak to that definitely.”
The police report to local area committees highlighted the campaign “aims to raise awareness of proxy purchasing. Alcohol misuse among young people continues to affect communities throughout the county and can contribute to various types of anti-social behaviour as well as putting our young people at risk of harm.”
The report warned there are stiff penalties for conviction. “Proxy purchasing is one way that young people can obtain alcohol therefore the campaign raises awareness that buying alcohol for someone who is under the age of 18 is a Criminal Offence, which carries a fine of up to £5,000 or up to 3 months in prison, or both.
Local youth volunteers have helped police with the campaign over the summer especially around critical events such as galas.
The report said: “With the assistance of West Lothian PSYV, Community Officers have visited and delivered information packs about the campaign to off-licensed premises in Broxburn, Armadale and Livingston as well as associated social media awareness being carried out.
Further areas were visited throughout the summer holidays.
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