Teens raid drinks cabinets for kicks

Published on Friday 20 November 2009 10:14

POLICE have warned parents to keep an eye on their drinks cabinet after picking up schoolchildren drunk on malt whisky and expensive bottles of wine.

East Lothian police officers say there is a rising problem of young people stealing their parent's alcohol, and warn some are even risking their lives, by getting drunk in isolated areas late at night.

Police in North Berwick confiscated 102 litres of alcohol and spoke to more than 100 young teenagers over the last weekend. This included bottles of 12-year-old single malt whisky, bottles of Malibu, 9 bottles of wine and premium beers.

They have seen an increase in the number of young people aged 14 and upwards caught with alcohol in the seaside town which has coincided with a rise in noise, vandalism and other antisocial behaviour.

Inspector Ian Mackay, of Lothian and Borders Police, said: "This has been building up over a few weeks. We've found children with 12-year-old bottles of single malt whisky. Obviously they didn't buy them themselves. They've also had expensive bottles of wine, beer and vodka.

"We're very concerned about their wellbeing and safety. We often get kids drunk on the rocks, and their pals vanish if they think they'll be caught. If they fall down drunk out of doors, there is a risk of hypothermia.

"This is having a real effect on the community, as they are causing antisocial behaviour.

"Parents need to go the extra mile, by keeping an eye on alcohol in the house, and making sure they know where their children are at night."

He said that there had been a rise in complaints about noise and litter, as well as a craze for "garden-hopping" where youngsters jump over garden fences.

Council leader David Berry, who represents North Berwick,

said: "Generally, I find youths who congregate of an evening good natured and not much of a problem beyond litter, but, judging by debris later at night, some go well beyond boisterousness, having pillaged family alcohol supplies to a point where they act with malicious irresponsibility."

The police have teamed up with council workers, schools and community councils to try and tackle the problem. They are urging anyone concerned to discuss the issue with their local community police officers.