Youths getting drunk at a Fife beauty spot are putting their lives at risk according to police.
A senior officer has urged parents to warn teenagers about the dangers of drinking at coastal locations after a spate of antisocial behaviour at the Silversands in Aberdour.
Police put out a number of tweets in relation to youth disorder at the site, with the hashtag #WhereIsYourChild.
One youngster vomited in a police van after being arrested for breach of the peace at the beach, which attracts thousands of visitors during the summer months.
Drunk female youth arrested for a breach of the peace yesterday at Silversands, #Aberdour. Then spewed in the van. #Classy #WhereIsYourChild
— SWFifePolice (@SWFifePolice) July 25, 2017
Fife’s busiest beach, the Silversands is a popular location for underage drinkers.
As well as the risk to youngsters’ personal safety, police also highlighted the hazards posed by broken glass left behind by rowdy youths.
Local officers said a number of young children had cut their feet on shards of glass.
Silversands in #Aberdour being spoiled by youth disorder ?. Children on the beach with cut feet ?. #WhereIsYourChild pic.twitter.com/rxYnGNvZUH
— SWFifePolice (@SWFifePolice) July 25, 2017
Sergeant Gordon Hood, who is based in Dalgety Bay, said: “Anti-social behaviour and littering shows a disregard for all those who visit Silversands to enjoy a local beauty spot.
“It’s concerning that young people have been consuming alcohol as this reduces the likelihood of them being aware of potential hazards or unsafe situations in an area near to a large expanse of open water and adjacent cliffs.
“I would urge parents to talk to their children about this and reinforce the risks to their personal safety and the impact their behaviour has on other people within the community.
“The area is being patrolled on a daily basis to deter anti-social behaviour, trace those responsible for this and help to ensure that people are keeping themselves safe.
“Anyone with information or concerns is welcome to speak to a local officer, contact Dalgety Bay Police Station via 101 or email InverkeithingDalgetyBayCPT@Scotland.pnn.police.uk.”
ZERO TOLERANCE – Sunny weather, sand and water always seems to attract Alcohol & Anti-social behaviour… SWF Community Officers patrolling
— SWFifePolice (@SWFifePolice) July 24, 2017
Robbie Blyth from Fife Coast and Countryside Trust said the combination of young people and alcohol at coastal locations could have tragic consequences.
He said: “It’s a countrywide issue. When you have fantastic weather and people drinking beside open water, that’s lethal.
“And unfortunately youths drinking alcohol have one of the highest statistics for drowning.”
Mr Blyth said rangers had to work harder during the summer months to keep Fife’s beaches free from litter and broken glass.
Iain Fleming, who chairs Aberdour Community Council, said: “I know the police are working hard to keep antisocial behaviour down, but we know that good weather brings so many more people to the area and Silversands is a popular visitor destination for people from all across Scotland, so it’s a real shame that the actions of a few can impact so many visitors, so thoughtlessly.”
