Police Scotland Youth Volunteers (PSYV) Lanarkshire have been actively supporting the “It Will Cost You” campaign in Larkhall, Carluke, Airdrie, Coatbridge and East Kilbride, aiming to raise awareness about the dangers and consequences of proxy purchasing.
The volunteers visited licensed premises, engaging with staff and the public to emphasise that buying alcohol for anyone under 18 is a criminal offence. Offenders can face a fine of up to £5,000, up to three months in prison, or both.
Community Engagement
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Thank you to everyone who took the time to speak with our volunteers and support this important campaign. Together, we can help keep our communities safe.”
Evaluations from previous campaigns show a steady increase in public awareness about the dangers of proxy buying, according to the Scottish Alcohol Industry Partnership (SAIP). However, it remains a serious issue, with police making detections across Scotland during the 2025 campaign.
Retailers’ Commitment
Luke McGarty, chair of the SAIP Campaigns Group and head of policy and public affairs at the Scottish Grocers’ Federation, said: “Retailers are determined to stop underage drinking and anti-social behaviour linked to alcohol. Our members are robust in ensuring that under 18s can’t buy alcohol from their stores, so our communities need to support these efforts and be aware of the consequences of proxy purchasing.”
He added: “The ‘It’ll Cost You!’ campaign fits perfectly with SGF’s position of promoting responsible community retailing. We look forward to continuing to work with our partners on the campaign again this year.”
