Under-age drinkers in the Kincardine area were targeted in a police operation over four weekends in October & November. More than 53 litres of beer, around 170 cans, with alcopops, cider and five litres of spirits were confiscated during Operation Livingston. Frontline officers, community beat officers and special constables both in uniform and plain clothes conducted the operation. A number of letters were issued to parents or guardians of children aged between 13 and 16, and where appropriate children were taken home and spoken to in front of their parents about under-age drinking and antisocial behaviour.

Inspector Jim Gordon, who co-ordinated the operation, said:

"It greatly concerns me that this amount of alcohol was in their possession and the damage it could have done to their health.

"I would like to thank the community for supporting Grampian Police during this operation.

"As a result of intelligence they provided we were able to allocate resources to break up organised groups of youths from our own and neighbouring communities and others and were able to prevent any confrontation.

"Together with our partner agencies we shall continue to work together to improve the quality of life issues our communities have and I would ask parents and guardians to work with us to eradicate the instances of youth annoyance."

Portlethen South councillor Paul Melling, who accompanied officers during a Saturday operation, said:

"On this particular night the police were aware of possible trouble between our youths and those from outside the community descending on Portlethen.

"This resulted in a large gathering of 50 to 60 local youths between the ages of 13 and 17 hanging around the PaddockBruntland Road area.

"Despite officers talking to them the youths were reluctant to move away. Some under-age youths were in the possession of alcohol."

Kevin Hutchens, Chairperson of the Kincardine and Mearns Community Safety Group stated:

"I am pleased to see that there is a crack down on underage drinking, through such initatives the health and safety of all will benefit."