Licensees who flout the law will be charged by police

Sixteen-year-old volunteers will try to buy drink from supermarkets, pubs and clubs in Fife as part of a year-long pilot scheme to target illegal sales.

It is the first time alcohol test-purchasing has been allowed in Scotland.

The scheme is expected to be introduced throughout the country in three years time.

Deputy Health Minister Lewis Macdonald said: "Underage drinking is illegal as well as harmful, and it is often associated with anti-social behaviour in our communities.

"Test purchasing will help the police to tackle these problems head on.

"We are working to change Scotland's outdated attitudes towards alcohol. This initiative is part of that cultural shift. I look forward to seeing the results on the ground."

Enforcing the law

Chief Superintendent Andrew Laing, divisional commander for central division of Fife Police, said: "Youth disorder and alcohol fuelled anti-social behaviour is the predominant concern of almost every community in Fife so we are obviously delighted to have been selected as the pilot site for Scotland.

"However, law-abiding and responsible licensees can be confident that they have nothing to fear from this initiative."

A recent report by the World Health Organization suggested Scotland had one of the world's worst teenage alcohol abuse problems.

The pilot scheme is designed to tackle illegal alcohol sales

Since February last year, local authorities have been able to participate in schemes which allow criminal proceedings to be based on evidence obtained through test purchasing of age-restricted products other than alcohol.

A recent change in the Licensing (Scotland) Act states that it is not an offence for a child or young person to buy or attempt to buy alcohol if they are authorised to do so by the chief constable.

This would be permitted if the intention was to find out whether an offence was being committed in selling alcohol to a person under the age of 18.

'Stay alert'

Last September, Lord Advocate Colin Boyd said he was satisfied, in principle, that test-purchasing of alcohol by children and young people would be an effective way of enforcing the law.

If a premises refuses to sell alcohol to a youth taking part in the pilot scheme, a police officer will inform the licensee, employee or agent that there had been a test-purchase operation and will urge them to remain vigilant.

However, if the licensee supplies the test-purchaser with alcohol they will be charged.