Big crackdown launched on underage drinking in town

A campaign is to be launched in Burntisland to tackle underage drinking amid outrage over a video showing youths attacking people.

People will be reminded it is an offence to buy alcohol for those under 8 when Police Scotland, Fife Council and partner agencies launch the operation in the town on Friday.

Two children have been charged following the incident in the town’s Lammerlaws area on Saturday night.

Footage recorded by a witness showed a gang of youngsters and several of kicking, stamping and hitting three people.

Two 15-year-old boys were charged, one in connection with assault and the other with vandalism.

Local councillor Gordon Langlands said: “Like other areas in Fife, Burntisland experiences anti-social behaviour involving youths, especially in the summer months, the majority of which often involves the consumption of alcohol.

“The introduction of Challenge 25 has made it more difficult for those under the age of 18 to buy alcohol themselves.

“However, there is still more work needing to be done to combat the practice of proxy purchase.

“The aim of the campaign is to reduce the number of proxy purchases of alcohol, thereby reducing crime and anti-social behaviour, making our communities safer and protecting under-18s from the harm associated with drinking alcohol.”

Police analysts said a similar You’re Asking for Campaign led to a 10% reduction in youth disorder in North Lanarkshire and a 51% reduction in reports of children drinking in the street.