Fife police have issued a stark warning to adults who flout the law by buying booze for children.
North East Fife area chief inspector John McDonald says the force is determined to crack down on it and he is warning offenders there is no hiding place.
CI McDonald also believes members of the public have a vital role to play, saying, “We are fully committed to delivering on our priorities and we take the supply of alcohol to children very seriously.”
The warning comes a day after The Courier uncovered the startling toll under-age drinking is taking on local health services.
Statistics obtained under freedom of information revealed nearly 300 children were taken to A&E departments at the region’s two main hospitals in the last three years. Well over 100 of them were 14 or under.
Police confirmed an 18-year-old male has been reported to the procurator fiscal in Cupar after an investigation into the supply of alcohol to two vulnerable juveniles in the St Monans area last month.
Crimestoppers has recently joined forces with Fife police, Fife Alcohol Partnership Project (FAPP) and Diageo to launch a four-week campaign aiming to leave people in no doubt that buying alcohol for minors is a serious offence.
Those behind the initiative say anyone with information should not hesitate to shop offenders.
Kate Johnston, Scotland’s Crimestoppers national manager, said, “We appeal to members of the public, in particular in Fife, to contact us with information about who is supplying alcohol to under-18s.
“Crimestoppers is a safe way to pass on information about crime or criminals because it is completely anonymous. Calls are never traced or recorded and we will never ask for the caller’s identity.”
Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555111 or by visiting www.crimestoppers-uk.org