Fewer teens drink in streets after alcohol campaign

A total of 38 adults were reported for buying alcohol for under-18s and two stores reported for“repeated” under-age drink sales during a North Lanarkshire-wide campaign.

The initiative, entitled ‘You’re Asking For It’, was rolled out to Monklands in July with the aims of tackling under-age drinking, anti-social behaviour, crime and violence, and highlighting the impact and the consequences of proxy purchasing – including a jail term or fine of up to £5000.

It has seen a 51 per cent reduction in reports of children drinking on the street, and Police Scotland analysts have also recorded a 10 per cent reduction in youth disorder incidents; with officials saying:“These results suggest children have found it more difficult to source alcohol as a result of the campaign.”

The crackdown was driven by the Scottish Alcohol Industry Partnership (SAIP), Police Scotland and North Lanarkshire community safety partnership – and was supported by 74 retailers, as well as parents and concerned residents.

Lanarkshire police division commander Chief Superintendent Roddy Irvine said:“The‘You’re Asking For It’campaign is a successful approach that tackles a serious issue.

“Under-age drinking plays a huge part in anti-social behaviour, crime and violence, and it’s vital that we continue to work together to tackle this problem and make our communities safer.

“I’d like to thank the divisional teams who have gone above and beyond in engaging with local communities.”

The campaign also saw young people’s awareness that asking an adult to buy alcohol could lead to a prison sentence for the adult rise from just one per cent before the summer launch to 60 per cent now.

You’re Asking For It was launched in response to concerns that under 18s are increasingly accessing alcohol by other means such as proxy purchasing, as other initiatives such as Challenge 25 have reduced direct alcohol sales to those who are underage.

It was first piloted in Motherwell and Wishaw two years ago, achieving a Police Scotland national excellence award for the“greatest contribution to policing priorities”; its rollout in Monklands also saw officers target “hotspot”locations while parents and retailers were asked to report suspected purchases by adults for under-18s.

SAIP campaigns chair John Lee said: “The campaign’s impact is clear and the co-operation of retailers and the wider community is remarkable; and licensees are enthusiastic as it provides a structured and supportive approach in identifying and handling cases of proxy purchasing.

“Reducing alcohol sales to under 18s has a significant impact, helping to improve safety and health and tackle crime; and I believe this campaign has the potential to have an even bigger impact across Scotland.”

Following the Monklands initiative, other council areas are now expressing an interest in running it; while the Scottish Grocers Federation and Police Scotland are working together on a training video to help retailers tackle the issue, to be launched in February.

North Lanarkshire leader Jim Logue said:“We’re pleased to be the first local authority in Scotland to roll out this effective proxy purchase campaign.

“You’re Asking For It sends a clear message to adults that buying alcohol for children is not acceptable under any circumstances.”