Children 'drunk by the afternoon'

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A police crackdown on underage alcohol consumption started finding intoxicated youngsters by early afternoon.

The Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary operation received its first report of problems by 1430 BST on Friday.

Further instances of underage drinking were discovered throughout the day and a large amount of alcohol seized in various parts of Dumfries.

Police said they were concerned at the health implications as well as the potential for anti-social behaviour.

A spokesman said the issue was becoming a "real concern" throughout the town.

This is a problem which no one agency can tackle by themselves Ch Insp Alan Glendinning

Sgt Rory Caldow said: "Police seized a large quantity of alcohol from children on Friday, however unfortunately this is not unusual.

"We started receiving calls regarding youngsters drinking alcohol around 2.30pm and traced one child in a very drunken state at that time.

"This was simply a forerunner of the events for the rest of the afternoon and evening where a number of other children were traced in various degrees of intoxication."

He said police were concerned by the potential for "long-term damage to the health of children" as well "anti-social behaviour being experienced by communities".

Following the police operation a man has been charged with buying alcohol to supply to a child.

'Responsible parenting'

Ch Insp Alan Glendinning said it was not possible for police to tackle the issue alone.

"This is a problem which no one agency can tackle by themselves," he said.

He said he wanted to "open dialogue" in order to get the message across that drinking large amounts of alcohol at any age was unsafe.

He added: "In particular I am keen to get the message out to the parents of these children, some of whom have even supplied their children with alcohol, that this is not responsible parenting.

"If caught, they will find the circumstances being reported on to the relevant authorities."