Exercise will target underage drinkers
POLICE Scotland Highland and Islands Division will be carrying out a Day of Action on Friday targeting alcohol-related crime and disorder across the area.
In particular the Day of Action will focus on underage drinking and associated issues as it is planned to coincide with the first Friday of the school summer holidays.
As part of the action day, Police and partners are hosting a Stay Safe and Enjoy the Summer' event in Falcon Square, Inverness city centre to provide the public with useful information that will help them stay safe over the summer months.
The event will have displays from Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, National Camera Safety Partnership, Highland Council, NHS Highland and Action for Children. The agencies will be offering advice on a range of subjects including road safety, alcohol and drugs.
Officers will also be carrying out test purchasing at off licensed sales premises in the Inverness area, and will be looking to roll this out across the Division within the holiday period. There will also be high visibility patrols of targeted areas across the Highlands and Islands to deter underage drinking, including events such as the Tain Gala Dance on Friday evening.
The day is the sixth in a series of regular Police Scotland designated "Campaign against Violence" days in the Division.
Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent Julian Innes said:
"This is the first Campaign against Violence day of the summer holidays and a particularly good time to focus on underage drinking and the many associated issues.
"The planned activity for the day and night will aim to deter young people from partaking in drinking alcohol, will look to stem the supply to youths as well as detecting any anti social behaviour or disorder that comes from those engaging in such activity.
"The days of action are specifically aimed at making our communities safer for everyone as regularly alcohol can have a significant contribution to incidents of violence, vandalism and anti social behaviour."