Adults who buy booze for teens targeted in new Rosyth blitz

Graham Gibson • Published 10 Jun 2010 07:05 3 Comments

"IRRESPONSIBLE" adults who buy booze for Rosyth's teen tipplers are being targeted by a new alcohol crackdown in the town.

The latest blitz will warn adults they could face prosecution for helping underage drinkers acquire booze illegally.

The Rosyth Community Alcohol Partnership (CAP) will bring the police, licencing standards officers and traders together to help stop adults buying alcohol on behalf of youngsters under 18.

A key aspect of the initiative will be to break down the barriers between retailers and the enforcement agencies as they work together with the wider community.

Manager of Rosyth's Park Road Good News store, Moeen Ramzan, welcomed the new campaign.

He said, "I think it's a good idea for the town because it's been quite a significant problem for the last few years and we still get young people hanging around the shop asking people to buy them stuff.

"People are still coming in to buy booze but I think the new scheme is helping.

"We have got leaflets and notices available in the shop and I think it will make a difference in the future, the more that people get educated on it."

Rosyth is one of the pilot areas of the Fife Alcohol Partnership Project and this campaign is one of a wider package of initiatives being rolled out to address underage drinking in the area.

The new campaign follows the introduction of an under-25 ID programme aiming to reduce the number of underage sales in the area.

Rosyth councillor Keith Legg said, "With regard to proxy purchases, where adults buy for children, I know from the retailers' perspective that it is quite difficult to identify but they're aware that it does go on in Rosyth.

"This campaign effectively gives the retailers the courage to report it and can only be of benefit.

"It is irresponsible and I think it's important for people to know that they can get prosecuted for doing that and I'm not sure people realise this.

"It's important to get the message out there, that if you're approached by kids outside the shops wanting you to buy alcohol for them, then don't do it because you'll be getting yourself in trouble."

Fellow Rosyth councillor Douglas Chapman added, "I welcome this initiative, we need to work together with those who sell alcohol to better understand the problems.

"The knock-on effects of binge drinking to individuals and local communities can be severe and together we can bring about a change in attitudes and behaviour."

Project manager for the Fife Alcohol Partnership Project, Yvonne Crombie, said, "This campaign marks an important milestone in delivering the total programme of activities we plan to roll out in Rosyth over the coming months to address the issue of underage drinking."

Tweet

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

• 

  Max
  Unregistered User
  Jun 10, 11:06
  Report comment

  This has happened to me on a few occasions when visiting both Goodnews and the Spar in the Dockyard. Youngsters hang around the shop like vultures waiting to ask anyone who looks old enought if they will buy them booze or fags. I just try to ignore them because if you answer "no" you usually get an earful of expletives. It can be quite intimidating at times. Persoally I just want to get on with my shopping without any hassle!
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 0

• 

  davey
  Unregistered User
  Jun 10, 13:36
  Report comment

  well well where is the new police inniative ----using minors to trap buyers and sellers to underage.
  
  Havent heard anybody in Rosyth being fined or more serious their licence being taken away---bit of a coincidence eh
  
  one wonders how far the council or the local bobbies are wanting to enforce this
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 0

• 

  Robert
  Unregistered User
  Jun 10, 21:43
  Report comment

  Simple way of preventing it. CCTV camera outside the trouble spots. Soon as someone is seen going in and handing them booze police officer walks round the corner, arrests and automatic 6 months community service cleaning up the mess young drunks make.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 0

• 

  ******
  Jun 11, 07:56
  Report comment

  This comment has been removed by a moderator

Post a comment

Your Comment:

Registered users log in here

Username or email

Password

You must be logged in to post. If you have not registered with us, please do so now.

Registration only takes a few minutes. Registered users do not have to complete word verification once logged in and can also take part in competitions and other registered user only features of the site.

Word Verification:
Enter the text as shown.

Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our News archives.

Follow @dunfermlinep