Drinkers to get message on a bottle

Alcohol safety messages are to appear on the necks of bottles sold from off-licences in a bid to promote safe drinking.

West Lothian's Community Safety Unit is encouraging off-licence premises to place the messages round the necks of bottles that they sell.

The innovative campaign is being supported by Lothian and Borders Police, West Lothian Council, NHS Lothian, Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service and the Tobacco, Drug and Alcohol Partnership.

Acting Chief Inspector Stephen Elliot, manager of the Community Safety Unit, said: "In West Lothian, alcohol is a factor in 45 per cent of all reported crimes. In the past year alone, approximately 690 calls about antisocial behaviour in West Lothian involved alcohol.

"The bottle collars are designed to be a reminder about the issues associated with alcohol. We are using the opportunity to distribute the bottle collars to retailers as an opportunity to engage with the public and highlight the issue of alcohol misuse."