Police launch crackdown on adults buying kids alcohol

Councillor Cammy Day from Edinburgh Community Safety Partnership, Chief Inspector Kevin McLean from Police Scotland and John Lee, Chair of the Campaigns Group at the Scottish Alcohol Industry Partnership. Picture: Colin Hattersley

A new Leith-based drive aims to hammer home the risks and penalties associated with purchasing alcohol for anyone under the age of 18. Current rules could see those caught facing fines of up to £5000 or three months in prison – or both.

As part of the new campaign, a digital advertising screen on Leith Walk, at Shrub Place Lane, will warn the public about the potential penalties if they are found to be involved in so-called “proxy purchasing”.

Dubbed “Operation Savana”, the drive will also encourage communities to come forward and report proxy purchasing – and aims to give confidence to shop staff to challenge anyone they suspect of buying alcohol for underage drinkers.

Chief Inspector Kevin McLean, local area commander for north-east Edinburgh, said: “We currently believe that the issue of proxy purchasing is under-reported within the Leith area and one of the key aims of this campaign is to ensure the public contact police if they witness someone buying alcohol for minors.

“We also want people to know the penalties they could face, should they be caught committing this offence. To assist with this, a large digital billboard on Leith Walk will display the campaign’s messages.

“I would urge all members of our Leith communities to take notice of this initiative and help us reduce antisocial behaviour and disorder offences in the area by reporting incidents of proxy purchasing and by refraining from purchasing alcohol for anyone under the age of 18.”

The latest move comes after a similar project involving Police Scotland, the Scottish Alcohol Industry Partnership (SAIP) and North Lanarkshire Council proved “extremely successful” last year.

Councillor Cammy Day, Edinburgh’s community safety leader, said: “Alcohol consumption can cause young people to take more risks than they normally would, and as well as impacting their health and making them more vulnerable, this can also lead to antisocial behaviour or violence.

“The council recognises its role in protecting the health and wellbeing of the city’s young people and works regularly with partners such as Police Scotland and NHS Lothian to encourage them to keep themselves safe. This campaign reinforces that message. Retailers are often reminded of their responsibilities when it comes to selling alcohol, but it is important that if we see adults buying alcohol for someone clearly under 18, we take responsibility and report it to the police.”

John Lee, chair of the SAIP campaigns group, said: “Responsible retailing and initiatives such as Challenge 25 have helped reduce the number of direct sales of alcohol to under 18s, but young people are increasingly accessing alcohol by other means.

“Asking an adult to buy alcohol for them is one of the most common tactics used. This campaign raises awareness of the serious consequences of buying alcohol on behalf of a young person, provides support for retailers in the area and will help to reduce alcohol-related problems in Leith.”