East Lothian Courier | News | New blitz on teen boozers

Thursday, 24th July, 2008

Published: Thursday, 15th May, 2008 08:10

New blitz on teen boozers

OFF-SALES licensees have linked with police and the local authority, to fight the scourge of under-age drinking in the town.

And if the pilot project proves successful it could be rolled out across the county.

Ten licensees have signed up to the East Lothian Off-Sales Initiative, which will see the three partners working in close harmony.

They’ll meet every six to eight weeks to decide strategy and chart progress through a new forum.

And off-sales traders in neighbouring East Linton and West Barns will be invited to sign up too.

It’s hoped that tighter controls on the sale of booze will curtail some of the alcohol-fuelled anti-social behaviour blighting the town centre at weekends.

East Lothian Council’s antisocial behaviour co-ordinator, Kenneth Black, said: “The council’s anti-social behaviour team is involved in a number of cases involving alcohol consumption by young persons and the anti-social behaviour that invariably follows.

“We look forward to working closely with the forum and the police to effectively combat the many problems associated with underage alcohol consumption in the Dunbar area.”

Licensed stores will be encouraged to record details of dubious sales, along with descriptions of those making the purchases.

That information will then be shared with police and fellow off-licence owners.

Licensees are even asked to record examples where adults buy low-cost alcohol at odds with their other purchases.

Police advise that paying for alcohol with handfuls of change is another potential indication that the purchase is on behalf of a minor.

In a two-pronged approach, police and the council’s anti-social behaviour team will collate data received from local stores to assist in their investigations.

Descriptions of offenders can also be matched with CCTV footage in the event of a serious anti-social behaviour incident.

It is hoped all of these measures combined will build a more complete picture of how alcohol is purchased, misused and its consequences in Dunbar.

East Lothian police commander, Supt Murdo MacIver said that co-operation between all licensed traders in the town was “vital” in making a lasting impact on alcohol fuelled antisocial behaviour:

“The launch of this forum marks the beginning of what I am optimistic will be a positive means of communicating ideas and identifying solutions, that, if successful, can be rolled out in other areas of East Lothian,” he said.

East Lothian’s Provost, Councillor Sheena Richardson, said: “Staff and proprietors within off-licenses are often victims of anti-social behaviour themselves.

“This forum will provide a positive environment to develop shared solutions to problems with drink-fuelled anti-social behaviour in Dunbar.

“Alcohol misuse is an issue that cannot be tackled by one store working in isolation. Working together is vital.”

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