Under-21s banned from buying booze
A small town has become the first in Scotland to ban off-trade sales of alcohol to under-21s.
A blanket ban across all 11 off-licences and shops in Armadale, West Lothian will come into force at 5pm tonight.
Under-21s will be banned from buying alcohol from 5pm-10pm on Fridays and Saturdays for the next six weeks as part of the trial.
A decision will be taken at the end of the six weeks as to whether the ban should be extended permanently.
Anyone who appears to be under 25 will be asked to show proof-of-age.
The news comes days after thepublican.com reported on a possible ban on off-trade sales to under-21s across Scotland in order to stem alcohol-related issues.
A spokesman for West Lothian council said: "It's to help cut down on the incidents of anti-social behaviour and the misuse of alcohol in that area. Schools in the area have a half day on Fridays and youths can sometimes get into trouble."
The scheme, which local shops have signed up to on a voluntary basis was put together as part of a police and council partnership. There are no major supermarket chains in the town.
Councillor Isabel Hutton, chair of the local area committee, is backing the initiative. She said: "This initiative will not prevent all youths getting hold of alcohol, but I am sure it will help in reducing alcohol related anti social behavior, and that will be beneficial to the Armadale community.
"It's too early to say if this project will be rolled out across other areas in West Lothian but we will record and assess the results of this pilot project and consider the options."
PC Phillip McIntosh of the Safer Neighbourhoods team, who has orchestrated the initiative, said: "Our intention is not only to limit under-age access to alcohol but to educate those who may have been involved in supplying alcohol to children that they are committing an offence.
"This can have serious consequences for both them and the young person.
"I hope that customers understand that this action is being taken for the good of the whole community."
A similar scheme carried out in Redcar, Teeside, in the north of England was deemed so successful that it will now be made permanent.
