Girl aged 12 picked up drunk on city streets

A 12-YEAR-OLD girl drunk on cider and vodka was among more than a dozen youngsters rounded up in a single night by undercover police in a new crackdown in the Capital.

The police patrols, aimed at clamping down on under-age drinkers, also found a 13-year-old girl and eight 14-year-olds girls who had been drinking. Along with the young girls, two 16-year-old boys and two 15-year-old boys were also discovered with booze.

Police today said they were "very concerned" by the age and condition of the youngsters, who were all badly affected by alcohol. Last week, the News reported how an 11-year-old boy had to be revived in the Sick Kids after drinking almost a full bottle of vodka.

The blitz in Leith and Drylaw was launched as part of a new scheme to curb the problem of under-age drinking.

Guidance workers from children's youth agencies Rock Trust and Fast Forward will give advice on the health dangers of drinking at a young age.

If the scheme, which has already been piloted in Livingston, proves successful in the Capital it is likely to be rolled out across the city.

Alcohol campaign groups today welcomed the project for including support groups rather than simply pouring the alcohol away and calling a child's parents.

Sergeant Andy Harborow, of Leith police station, said more police swoops were planned in the coming weeks.

He said: "The girls were found drinking at about 10pm. They were clearly the worse for wear. Hopefully by meeting with a counsellor both the child and their parents will act more responsibly."

The blitz, known as Operation Array, saw plainclothes officers check drinking "hotspots" in the area, which included parks and pathways.

Under the new scheme, meetings are arranged between the youngsters, their parents and an independent guidance worker who is charged with outlining the vulnerable position that children are placing themselves in.

The meetings are set to be held at Fast Forward's headquarters in Bernard Street and Rock Trust's base in Albany Street.

The youths will also undergo a formal interview with a supervisory police officer who will set out the impact of antisocial behaviour on the community. Pc Adam Brown, of the Neighbourhood Action Unit at Leith police station, said: "The majority of parents have been very supportive and early indications suggest that most of the alcohol is being obtained by young people who are loitering at licensed premises and approaching adults to buy it for them.

"We would appeal to anyone who is approached in this way to refuse to purchase alcohol as it contributes to the problem of antisocial behaviour and is an offence for which you can be charged."

Leith councillor Gordon Munro said he was disturbed that such young girls had been found drunk.

He said: "This police scheme is very welcome as there is a problem with under-age drinking right across my ward area, from Restalrig to Newhaven.

"Some parents may be unaware of what their children are up to so it's good to bring everyone together to tackle it."

Jack Law, chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland, said: "This scheme will hopefully make a big difference to under-age drinking and all the associated problems in Leith. Weekend after weekend police confiscate alcohol from young people drinking outside on the street or in the park, but unless follow-up action is taken such as contacting their parents and putting them in touch with agencies that can offer help and advice on the risks of drinking alcohol, then little is likely to change."