SGF HELPS TO LAUNCH STOP PROXY PURCHASE CAMPAIGN

The Scottish Government Alcohol Industry Partnership (SGAIP), the North Lanarkshire Community Safety Partnership and Police Scotland, working closely with local retailers, have launched (29th June) a campaign in the area to raise awareness of the fact that buying alcohol for anyone under the age of 18 is a criminal offence which carries a fine of up to £5,000 or up to three months in prison, or both.

 John Lee, Head of Public Affairs at SGF and Chair of the SGAIP Campaigns Group, said:

 “The success of 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 will raise awareness of the serious consequences of buying alcohol for anyone under the age of 18 to help reduce underage drinking in the local area.”

 The Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 makes it an offence for a person to “act as an agent for a child in purchasing or attempting to purchase alcohol

 Superintendent John McTear at Police Scotland said:

“Underage drinking contributes to antisocial behaviour, crime and violence in our local communities. During the lighter evenings and school holidays we expect to see more young people congregating. Most are perfectly well behaved, however some may consume alcohol after purchasing it themselves or arranging for someone else to do so and then engage in disorder. Local police will continue patrols and targeted operations where we know this to take place, to reduce attempted purchases of alcohol for under 18s.”

The campaign is being launched in North Lanarkshire and will run until the end of summer. Learnings and successes from this trial will shape future campaigns across Scotland.