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An alcohol
test purchasing scheme is to be extended to Cunninghame North in an effort
to crackdown on underage drinking
and anti-social behaviour.
The majority of local retailers have a responsible
attitude to selling alcohol to under-18’s. However,
there are still some retailers who put profits before the law and they need
to be identified.
Following a meeting with
the Health and Justice Ministers earlier this week, local Labour MSP Allan
Wilson has welcomed news that an alcohol test purchasing scheme is to be
extended to Cunninghame North in an effort to crackdown on underage drinking
and anti-social behaviour.
During the meeting the Cunninghame North MSP discussed recent reports
published in the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald which highlighting the impact
of under age drinking in Cunninghame North.
Allan Wilson MSP used the reports to emphasis the need for a successful test
purchasing scheme which has been piloted in Fife to be extended to local
police in an effort to tackle rogue retailers who sell alcohol to
underagers.
The successful test purchasing scheme has been piloted in Fife and involved
under age volunteers attempting to buy alcohol from local retailers whilst
being monitored by officers to ensure their safety.
Speaking from Parliament, Allan Wilson MSP said: “I met with the Justice and
Health Ministers to press the case for test purchasing to be extended to
Cunninghame North as a response to concerns expressed by constituents and
following reports in the pages of Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald.
“The majority of local retailers have a responsible attitude to selling
alcohol to under-18’s. However, there are still some retailers who put
profits before the law and they need to be identified.
“I welcome news today that test purchasing will now be available to local
police officers. I believe this will make a real difference in communities
across Cunninghame North.”
Health Minister Andy Kerr added: ”Under-age drinking is a concern for the
health and well being of the young people involved, as well as local people
who find themselves at the sharp end of the anti-social behaviour and worry
it can cause. Of course there is no simple or single solution to under-age
drinking but the evidence from the Fife scheme proves that some retailers
could do more to adopt a standard ‘no proof, no sale’ approach”.
The pilot scheme visited licensed premises in Fife (broadly split 50:50
between on and off-sales). The latest available figures (week ending 10 Feb)
showed that of 783 premises visited, 134 failed (17%). Licensees who fail a
test purchase are charged and a report submitted to the Procurator Fiscal
and the Licensing Board.
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