Kids as young as 14 caught as officers blitz booze hotspots
Police teams across Renfrew and Erskine have cracked down on underage drinkers who blight local communities with antisocial behaviour.
Uniform and plain clothes cops targeted groups of youngsters – some as young as 14 – across a number of booze hotspots before confiscating bottles of spirits, wine, cider and beer.
In Renfrew, police swooped on problem areas in the town centre, Clydeside, Kirklandneuk and the town’s golf club.
In Erskine, cops visited Barrgarron and Bridgewater as well as fields near to Park Mains High School.
Several kids were returned home to their parents, while around 10 fixed penalties were issued to underage drinkers who were over 16 years old.
Inspector Cassie Glass, who is based in Johnstone, revealed the successful operation is the result of changes in frontline policing.
She said: “The community officers working out of Renfrew Police Office are absolutely committed to providing the residents of Renfrew and Erskine with an excellent community policing service.
“Since starting in post, they have spent time getting to know the local community and assessing the local problems.
“The consistent message coming from members of the community is that anti-social behaviour continues to be a problem, so the officers are focussed on tackling this problem.
“This operation is the first is a determined period of policing activity to reduce alcohol fuelled disorder.
“As we found from the alcohol confiscated, kids are still accessing large quantities of alcohol, and once consumed, this leaves them not only very vulnerable, but also in many cases committing disorder and sometimes acts of violence.”
She added: “These proactive patrols will continue throughout the summer in Renfrew, Erskine and Inchinnan and deliver a strong message from Police Scotland that underage drinking, alcohol abuse and anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated in our local communities.”
The Paisley Daily Express previously reported how similar swoops in Paisley resulted in litres of booze being seized from kids as young as 14.
Police disrupted a group of more than 50 youngsters at a grassy area near Dykebar Hospital.
Similar underage bevy busts took place at Gleniffer Braes, Barshaw Park and Shortroods.