Youngsters down their drinking habits after police warnings

ALMOST three-quarters of under-16s reduced their alcohol intake after police caught them drinking in the street, a new study has revealed.

The same number discussed drinking with their parents after being taken back to a police station and given a warning.

The Lothian and Borders Police survey assessed the impact of Operation Floorsweep, which aimed to target under-age drinking and associated antisocial behaviour. Community police officers in West Lothian stopped drunk under-16s and took them back to a police station, called in their parents and gave them all a warning.

The researchers questioned 100 youngsters aged 12-16-years-old between six months to a year after the initial contact with police.

They found that drinking was a common activity for most of those surveyed.