New alcohol sales laws to curb drinking dens

Giving or serving alcohol to a child or young person in a public place is now an offence in Scotland after new laws were introduced.

The restrictions, which begin today, are part of the alcohol licensing section of the Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2015 and are designed to help police tackle outdoor drinking dens.

Other measures which come into force include a “fit and proper person test” as part of the alcohol licensing regime.

Under the new rules, licensing boards will be required to produce an annual income and expenditure report on alcohol licensing activities to increase accountability and transparency.

Justice Secretary Michael Matheson said: “While many young people will not undertake underage drinking, we know that groups of young people drinking outside can be an intimidating sight to members of the public and are often linked with a number of public order offences.

“Furthermore, underage drinking can cause short- and long-term harm to health, as well as put young people in dangerous situations when drunk.

“So it is entirely correct that Police Scotland are able to deal effectively with those who supply alcohol to children and young people.”

It is already against the law to buy alcohol for a child, but a new offence has been introduced which closes a loophole to ensure that supplying alcohol to a child in public is also covered.