A £90 fine or day in court awaits anyone buying festive alcohol for underage drinkers.
That was the message from the Longtown Community Alcohol Partnership as part of a Christmas crackdown on adults attempting to buy alcohol for young people, known as ‘proxy purchasing’.
Shops have displayed posters and handed out leaflets warning that a £90 on-the-spot fine or prosecution awaits adults attempting to buy alcohol on behalf of under 18s.
The Longtown Community Alcohol Partnership, comprising of numerous partner agencies, was launched in the summer to tackle alcohol-related harm to young people by reducing the sale of alcohol to them, advising them on the dangers of drinking and promoting alcohol-free activities.
Sergeant Scott Adams said: “Drinking alcohol brings serious risks to children, putting them in danger of physical and social harm. They are far more likely to injure themselves or someone else, fail to reach their potential at school and engage in anti-social behaviour.
“While great progress has been made in reducing direct sales to under 18s via the Challenge 25 scheme, unfortunately youngsters sometimes obtain alcohol when adults buy it on their behalf.
“The partnership is working hard to raise awareness of this issue and is warning adults that proxy purchasing will not be tolerated during the festive season or indeed any time of the year.”
Community Alcohol Partnerships have enjoyed considerable success across the UK tackling underage drinking with a mix of education, enforcement, community engagement and the provision of diversionary activities for young people.
