Treating underage drinking like parking on a yellow line is not the right approach (Gordon Liberal Democrats)

Gordon Liberal Democrats <info@libdems.org.uk>

Treating underage drinking like parking on a yellow line is not the right approach

November 25, 2009 4:50 PM
Originally published by Scottish Liberal Democrats

Commenting on the Scottish Government's publication of a study recommending that the increased use of fixed penalty notices should be considered, Liberal Democrat Justice spokesperson Robert Brown MSP said:

"Whilst there is a place for fixed penalty notices as part of our justice system, I am very wary about the extent of the proposals outlined today.

"We must be particularly careful about the introduction of fixed penalty notices for offences such as under age drinking. This type of offence is often the surface result of a much bigger problem.

"Treating underage drinking in the same way as parking on a double yellow line is not the right approach.

"Fixed penalty notices will do nothing to address the underlying causes of why people commit this sort of crimes in the first place.

"They will also do little to support the victims of these sorts of offences.

"Fixed penalties must not be used as an excuse to avoid necessary procedures or to justify a lack of further investigation into significant offences."