Underage drinking blitz caps culprits

Aug 27 2010 by Denis Brown, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

A TAYSIDE Police blitz on underage drinkers has seen officers seize more than 300 litres of alcohol from youths in recent weeks.

The crackdown combating the disturbing prevalence of underage drinking and related anti-social behaviour around Perth and Kinross took place mainly on Friday and Saturday nights.

Sgt Julie Robertson of the Community Impact Team, which specialises in drug and alcohol issues, said an investigation into those suspected of purchasing alcohol for youngsters had led to several arrests.

“Officers have also been liaising with license holders to raise awareness regarding the problem of agents purchasing alcohol on behalf of underage people and providing support to them in this regard,” she said.

She said the link between underage drinking and anti-social or criminal behaviour was well documented.

“We know that the amount of alcohol we seize or prevent from going into the wrong hands has a knock-on effect in reducing occurrences of vandalisms, assaults, and youths causing annoyance calls,” she added.

“These are the things which have a direct impact on communities and affect people’s quality of life.”

A Crieff man who lives opposite the town’s Haldanes supermarket contacted the PA to say he had witnessed an ‘agent’ buying alcohol for local underage youths.

“I’ve seen this guy buying booze over the road for a group of local kids, boys and girls, on three different occasions now,” he said.

“I actually know who he is, so I’m reluctant to tell the cops. It’s pretty sneaky; he’ll meet the kids in the car park, presumably to get their order and the cash.

“Then he goes into the supermarket and the kids will disappear up the road somewhere.

“When this guy comes out with bags of booze, he hangs around till there’s no-one about and he thinks nobody’s watching him. That’s when he places the bags under a bush.

“He takes off and a few minutes later the kids turn up and retrieve the bags.

“Some of these kids are only about 13 and I’ve seen them drinking stuff like Buckfast – it’s an absolute disgrace.”

However, Sgt Robertson stressed the vast majority of children did not drink, saying the minority who did appeared to be reluctant to admit it was unacceptable and harmful.

“By consuming alcohol, youngsters can put other people in harm’s way and expose themselves to very real risk of harm or exploitation,” she said.

“Parents also need to be aware and try to ensure that alcohol cannot be taken from the family home, either with or without their knowledge.

“Please don’t turn a blind eye or be ignorant to the fact that your child might be drinking alcohol somewhere. Their behaviour under the influence of drink might be making someone else’s life a misery. It could also be putting your child’s life in danger.”

l Any information about underage drinkers or someone selling alcohol to youths? Contact Tayside Police on 0300 111 2222 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.