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| Under-age buyers test drink sales | |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Teenagers will be sent to buy alcohol from shops around Scotland's capital city as part of a drive to halt under-age sales. | |
| Test purchasing is to be introduced in Edinburgh following the success of a similar scheme in Fife. | Test purchasing is to be introduced in Edinburgh following the success of a similar scheme in Fife. |
| It led to the suspension of several alcohol licences of shops in the area which were caught supplying drink to minors. | It led to the suspension of several alcohol licences of shops in the area which were caught supplying drink to minors. |
| Lothian and Borders Police will use 16-year-olds in the initiative. | Lothian and Borders Police will use 16-year-olds in the initiative. |
| Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said there was clear evidence that too many children under the age of 18 were currently drinking alcohol. | Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said there was clear evidence that too many children under the age of 18 were currently drinking alcohol. |
| 'Pro-active steps' | 'Pro-active steps' |
| Supt Lesley Clark, of Lothian and Borders Police, said: "A good deal of the anti-social behaviour our communities face is caused by the consumption of alcohol by persons under 18 and, by utilising the approach of test purchasing, we are taking pro-active steps to reducing the supply of alcohol to young people." | Supt Lesley Clark, of Lothian and Borders Police, said: "A good deal of the anti-social behaviour our communities face is caused by the consumption of alcohol by persons under 18 and, by utilising the approach of test purchasing, we are taking pro-active steps to reducing the supply of alcohol to young people." |
| Volunteers will try to buy alcohol in licensed premises across Edinburgh, with all offences being reported to prosecutors and licensing boards. | Volunteers will try to buy alcohol in licensed premises across Edinburgh, with all offences being reported to prosecutors and licensing boards. |
| Mr MacAskill said: "We know too many under-18s are drinking alcohol - a simple walk through a park or down the street on a Friday night is evidence of that. | Mr MacAskill said: "We know too many under-18s are drinking alcohol - a simple walk through a park or down the street on a Friday night is evidence of that. |
| "Responsible licensees have nothing to fear. Adopting a 'can't tell, don't sell' policy is the best option. | "Responsible licensees have nothing to fear. Adopting a 'can't tell, don't sell' policy is the best option. |
| "This is about protecting our young people and tackling under-age drinking." |