Shop's alcohol licence suspended

350 pubs and shops have been visited since the start of June

An off-licence in Fife has had its permission to sell alcohol suspended for three months after it was twice caught selling alcohol to underagers.

It is believed to be the first time a licence in Scotland has been withdrawn.

The off-licence in Methil twice sold alcohol to 16-year-olds sent there by Fife Constabulary under its test purchase scheme.

Officers said 350 pubs and shops had been visited since the start of June, with 50 of them having failed the test.

No excuse

Ch Supt Andrew Laing, Fife Constabulary project leader, said that there was no excuse for failure.

He said: "Setting aside the fact that sale of alcohol to someone under 16 is a criminal offence, we have written to every licensee in the Kingdom to advise them of the scheme, invited them to a seminar and advertised both on the radio and through leaflet drops to all licensed premises.

"Given all of that, I find it incredible that a licensee or their staff could to fail to check someone's age.

"The outcome of this hearing isn't just about someone selling to underagers, it sends a clear message that the police and the licensing board recognise the real effects on communities, on health and on safety that are created when irresponsible people let our children have access to drink."