Under-age alcohol agents targeted

Published on Monday 6 October 2008 09:55

A CAMPAIGN to crackdown on people buying alcohol for under-18s has been launched.

Posters warning customers they could be fined 1000 for supplying drink to those under-age are now being pinned up in off-licences across North Edinburgh.

The initiative is the brainchild of the Forth Neighbourhood Partnership, which joined forces with police, the council and students at Telford College for the project.

George Gordon, of the partnership, said: "Agent buying has been identified as the way which most under-age people obtain alcohol, through friends, family members or just by approaching random people who are going into an off-licence."

The partnership approached Telford College to design a poster aimed at adults who supply – or may be considering supplying – under-age drinkers with alcohol.

Forth Councillor Elaine Morris said: "Under-age drinking is a serious issue.

"We need to protect the young people who overdose on alcohol on a regular basis. We also need to protect people who suffer from the actions of young people under the influence of drink.

"I hope this will remind those people who buy alcohol for youngsters to consume that it is illegal to do so and that they risk prosecution."

Forth Neighbourhood Partnership covers Muirhouse, Pilton, Granton, Wardie, Trinity and Newhaven and developments at Granton Harbour.