By Gordon Berry

Fifteen children—one a young girl found three times the drink-drive limit—had to be taken to Cupar police station in a “drunken state” after a youth drinking crackdown, it has been revealed.

The alarming news has been revealed by community officer Sergeant Garry Muir as he provided an update on one of the force’s series of Time2Act anti-social behaviour operations in the town.

The officer said six special constables had joined eight community team police officers for Operation Temperance, with foot patrols in the town targeting the main areas of concern.

Sgt Muir said the parents of the children were all contacted and had to attend the station to pick their children up.

The parents had been very positive and it had been an “invaluable education process” for everyone.

The officer said a large amount of alcohol was seized from the youngsters.

He said two children were charged with drinking in a designated area covered by a local by-law, 14 street warning letters were issued, and the operation had also been backed up by ASBO applications which target persistent offenders.

Sgt Muir said some of the worst-affected children had been breathalysed so their parents could see the amount they had been drinking.

One girl was three times the driving limit and two boys were twice the limit.

He said some of those affected were from Cupar, and others had travelled into the town from half a dozen communities.

The officer added that the initiative included a surveillance operation throughout eastern division, where individual shops that came to light through intelligence systems were targeted.

“This operation was very successful, with two off-licences being charged with selling alcohol to under-age children,” said Sgt Muir.

“It is imperative that we carry on this work.

“If we can cut out the alcohol at source this will have an impact on offences later on in the evening.”

Also included in the initiative was an education process where Sgt Muir, along with a licensing officer, went to every off-licence in eastern division.

The pair highlighted the responsibilities of owners with regard to selling alcohol to under-age children, and also gave advice about how to combat the problem.

The majority of premises visited had been very supportive, he added.

Sgt Muir said he believed such initiatives to be the way ahead in dealing with anti-social behaviour.

“This type of operation will be taking place throughout the division in the coming months.

“If everyone in our community works together and takes on a little responsibility I believe we can make a difference,” he added.