Alcohol awareness week

Buying alcohol for under 18’s is against the law –

Face a £5000 fine for buying or selling alcohol to under 18's 

 

Devon & Cornwall Police will be supporting National Alcohol Awareness Week with a series of activities to educate young people on the risks associated with drinking.

Alcohol Awareness Week runs from Monday 18 to Sunday 24 October and the theme for this year’s campaign is ‘alcohol and childhood’ which encompasses the issue of alcohol use by young people. 

We have recently launched a campaign aimed at stopping ‘proxy’ sales of wine, beer and spirits – which is when adults buy alcohol for someone under the age of 18.

Buying alcohol for someone under the age of 18 is illegal and punishable by a £5,000 fine and a criminal record.

Sergeant Graeme Johnston, from Devon and Cornwall Police, said: "Supporting the awareness week is extremely important as drunkenness continues to impact on crime and antisocial behaviour; therefore this is a key priority for Devon and Cornwall Police.

"We are committed to tackling alcohol-related crime and disorder. However, we need to work with in partnership to communicate the message of responsible drinking direct to young people.

“We are particularly concerned with the effects of alcohol on young people, so we will also be reinforcing our ongoing ‘don’t buy alcohol for under 18s’ message, which warns members of the public about the legal aspects of purchasing alcohol for those who are under age.”