LABOUR ABANDON COMMUNITIES ON ALCOHOL SALES

For immediate use: Friday 10th September 2010


Attn: NEWSDESKS


POLITICAL / HEALTH / JUSTICE CORRESPONDENTS


COUNCILS SHOULD HAVE POWERS OVER AGE RESTRICTIONS


The SNP today accused Labour of turning its back on communities affected by alcohol related crime as Labour said they would oppose SNP plans to allow police and communities to ask councils to introduce a ban on sales to under 21 year olds in problem areas.


The proposal follows successful pilots in Fife, Larbert/Stenhousemuir and West Lothian which saw crime fall through the control of alcohol sales to under 21s.


In Larbert calls to the police fell by 41% in the first three months, breaches of the peace declined by 38%, and serious assaults by 60% without any additional police resources.


In Armadale West Lothian there was a 57% reduction in assaults, a 55% reduction in calls to police about youth disorder issues and a 54% fall in reported vandalism during the trial period.


SNP MSP for Falkirk West Michael Matheson who represents Larbert and Stenhousemuir, one of the pilot areas said:


“Faced with the opportunity to take on Scotland’s alcohol problems Labour would rather stick their heads in the sand. Larbert in my own constituency has benefited from this policy and many more would like to take the same action.


“It is ridiculous that despite clear evidence from the pilots that an age limit of 21 can have dramatic effects on anti-social behaviour, crime and drunkenness in problem areas Labour are content to leave councils, police and local communities with no action to take. The SNP wants to give our communities and our councils that power to use if it is needed.


“Many young people do drink responsibly and councils would only act in areas where there is a problem and only when there is a specific request to do so. Labour’s position is completely nonsensical.


“Labour may have turned their backs on Scotland’s communities but the SNP and Scottish Government are committed to helping councils and the police tackle the problems alcohol causes in our society.”


ENDS