Pupils beat police booze blitz

Ally McGilvray • Published 30 Mar 2010 15:16 33 Comments

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One girl, believed to be from Galashiels Academy, is pictured with bottles of alcohol strapped to her legs - after police raided their bus.

COPS seized dozens of litres of booze after swooping on kids heading to a school dance.

Around 360 sixth-year pupils from various schools across the region were bussed to Springwood Park in Kelso for their leavers bash on Saturday night.

But police anticipated that many of them, mostly underage, would bring their own drink.

They stopped several buses from Galashiels, Hawick and Duns - confiscating 76 bottles and cans of lager, five litres each of cider and vodka, seven litres each of alcopops and mixed spirits, 12 bottles of wine, two litres of spirits in juice bottles and a bottle of Amaretto.

However, the Border Telegraph can reveal that many of the youngsters still managed to sneak drink into the dance by taping bottles to their legs hidden under their kilts and ball gowns.

Inspector Brian MacFarlane, who led the blitz, said: "It turned out to be a bigger operation than we thought it would be."

Police launched the operation in a bid to stamp anti-social behaviour from similar events in the past.

But, despite the success of the seizures, pictures of pupils' secret stash began appearing on Facebook this week. They also boasted about their haul and posted pictures of the raid taken on their mobile phones.

One picture of a girl, believed to from Galashiels Academy, with two bottles of alcohol strapped to her legs, was captioned: "Our amazing plan which meant we got to keep our drink."

Referring to the police raid, another pupil said: "I was like: 'Eh mate, what's the aim here? He (police officer) replied: 'To prevent underage drinking'. And I was like: 'Well, you're four years too late because I'm 18 soon'." However, another pupil added: "I am hard coz I got to keep all my drink last night!"

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Mar 30, 15:54
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John Heatlie
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Mar 30, 17:12
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Dear Editor,

Having read many articles on newspaper and television websites regarding the Seizing of alcohol from youngsters' attending a Graduation Ball last Saturday, I feel that there are some points which have been misconstrued. So I would like to inform the public with a little bit more information on the subject. The two organisers of the event- two pupils from Selkirk High School went out of their way to abide by the law; having meetings with local PCSO Rachel Stevenson regarding all sorts of things such as: public liability insurance, alcohol licensing and hiring licensed stewards. The young women attempted to get an alcohol license for the premises which would allow the over 18's to buy alcohol and for the under 18's to buy refreshments. This would allow the alcohol consumption at the event to be monitored. The police rejected the license, which resulted in the girls deciding to just have a soft drinks bar. This shows how the organisers were willing to work with the police and compromise things to abide by the law. The fact that the girls contacted the police about the event in the first place shows their maturity about the whole situation- the ball was a civilised, controlled and formal occasion, with a sit down meal, a Ceilidh band and a DJ. It was very well organised and Not just a bunch of kids getting together to get exceedingly drunk and cause trouble, which it may have been branded as in the media.

On the night, whilst the two organisers were preparing the hall for the big night, two very pleasant, down to earth police men entered the hall and were stating how, they didn't want to ruin anyone's night, and commenting on how nice the hall looked etc, meanwhile the privately hired busses in Hawick, Galashiels and Duns were being raided, without warning, and without warrants. Pupils were being asked to open all of their bags, to lift up their dresses or kilts to show that they were not hiding alcohol, and ironically, the only person to get a full body search was a young boy who in fact had no alcohol on him in the first place. At the ball, there was no trouble at all. There were no fights and no damage. This just shows how mature and well mannered the young people were.

The fact of the matter is that, the two young women who approached the police like adults, feel betrayed and let down by the police- who have been hailed as hero's in the papers, yes, they understand that it is their job, and it is against the law for people under the age of 18 to consume alcohol. But the truth is that most of the people who attended the event were either 18 and had bought their alcohol themselves, or had been given it by their parents. I'm sure that parents would much rather have their children consume alcohol in a safe and secure environment, rather than have them doing so out on the streets. You could say the police "shot themselves in the foot" by rejecting the bar license, which would of allowed alcohol consumption to be controlled in the hall, which would of discouraged people from taking their own alcohol, which would of in turn, saved the police force a lot of time and money. In the end, the first ever Graduation Ball, at which 322 people attended turned out to be a great night. All who attended had a smashing time, whilst getting to meet new people and soc*alise with others from different schools. It is a shame that the media has hailed the event as such a bad thing seeing as so many positive things came from it. All the pupils who attended were credits to their schools and communities. All the police have done is alienate our next generation. It is hardly surprising that the police are sometimes regarded with little respect.

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funnyguy
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Mar 30, 17:33
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Hilarious picture! But it's sad that youngsters have to go to these erm desperate measures to enjoy themselves. However, I agree with Mr Heatlie, the police do appear to have been a little heavy handed on this occasion and that won't do anything to improve relations between the two parties.

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Vivienne Stavert
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Mar 30, 17:59
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What a shame that all that manpower and money was spent on stopping 17 and 18 year olds having a drink at their leavers ball. This was a well organised, well planned and safe event held with the full knowlege of the youngsters parents. While the 'raid' was happening I hate to think how many 12 and 13 year olds were openly drinking in parks and streets around the Borders? If a normal weekend is anything to go on I would imagine quite a few.

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Galashiels Academy Parent
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Mar 30, 18:00
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I agree with Mr.Heatlie,

The one detail missing was also that the only young man who recieved a full body search was also the only pupil not caucasian on the entire coach.

The young men and women were degraded and shouted at by male officers who went into bags pulling out hairspray and the likes, even going into small make up bags which would be impossible to hide anything in.

They also scared many of the young women and reduced them to tears on the coaches, whilst making some pupils more than half an hour late for the sit down meal which was so carefully arranged.

I feel that the police officers priorities were completley in the wrong place, the priority should be more on young children of 13/14 who are drinking on the streets getting into ridiculous states, not 18 and 17 year olds who are 18 in a matter of months on the way to their last ever large school event. Looking at the amount of alcohol seized and the amount of people attending the ball, there was not a large amount per person so no pupil was going to get ridiculously drunk, just to enjoy their last event.

The whole event was brilliantly organised and its a shame that in todays culture teenagers cannot be given praise where deserved but instead are treated in a disgusting manner by the police instead, resulting in a loss of respect for themselves from not only teenagers but the parents of them also.

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Cousinofpupil
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Mar 30, 18:17
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So hold on a second. Let me see if I have this right? You're telling me a group of teenagers who were all together to celebrate the fact that they have completed their education (many of them going on to University) at a privately organised party took some alcohol with them!?!? Dear God! How long has this kind of thing been going on?! It certainly didn't happen when I was at school! And I am almost certain that none of the police involved (who if the above comments are to be belived seized the alcohol without warrants and therefore ILLEGALLY) ever indulged in the odd snifter before they reached the age of 18 (as many of the "Kids" at this event were!)

Well I am horrifed!! In other news apparently the Easter Bunny doesn't leave your easter eggs for you and clouds aren't made of candy floss!!

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Galashiels Academy
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Mar 30, 18:26
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I would also like to add another conversation on the bus from Galashiels with the police.

One girl asked a police man simply "why are

you even doing this?"

And the police man replied, "it's not that when you're in a bush being raped!"

Certainly not a way to speak to a 17 year old girl and a comment to begin a 'fun night', especially when the event is clearly in a safe and trusted environment with buses directly to and from the event. If that's what their worry was then why not be at the location of the event because I assure you the police never did any job of stopping alcohol there in the one car they sent compared to the 3 police cars that hijacked Galashiels bus.

Another point is that the police were actually laughing at the girls who were in tears as they snatched the alcohol out of their bags.

We're 17/18! We all have a few years of experience drinking alcohol, we know how to drink responsibly now so why not go sort the 12 year olds out!

Also invading a girls privacy and publishing a photo of her without PARENTAL CONSENT. Good one.

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Galashiels academy pupil
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Mar 30, 18:43
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As a pupil on one of the buses that got raided i have to agree with the tone of the comments above. I understand that the police have to do their jobs and stop underage drinking, but i feel that targeting older teens like ourselves many who were 18 and others just a couple months away is a waste of their resources, they should focus on younger teens and not ones that are and almost of legal age. They only did this in my opinion as they knew they were going to find alcohol and it would look good in the press for them.

Of those of us who werent 18 and couldnt buy our own alcohol had it purchased by our parents as the see us as old enough and mature enough to have a drink during our night.

When our bus was raided we felt the police were quite rude to us and extremely patronising whilst doing it. As at no point did they explain to us they were searching the bus and never apologizing for making us late for our meal. They also never apologized for taking the alcohol that belonged to the young men and women that were 18. All that was achieved by these raids was more bad feeling towards the police and young people feeling targeted, as in the paper we felt it was made out that everyone was going out to binge drink and that alcohol was the main focus of the evening. It would have been good if the event had attracted headlines which credited for the success it was.

If anything the police only helped increase supermarket and off license sales in kelso on saturday night as the majority of people simply got off the bus and got their friends who were 18 to go and buy more drink to replace the drink that was confiscated by the police.

All of us young men and women had an extremely good time at the event and it ran very smoothly with no violence or people being overly drunk. It was an amazing experience where it allowed seniors of the scottish borders schools to mix and meet new people. Over all i feel the night was a complete success!

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Selkirk Parent
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Mar 30, 19:01
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Well once again heavy handed tactics have caused a huge rift between the Police and our youngsters, while we are all very well aware of the legality of underage drinking and also the serious health risks involved, the person who made the decision to raid the buses was obviously out to grab some glory!!! Backfired mate, why not spend your precious budget that we are all frequently reminded of on catching the scum of society, the thieves and the drug dealers, as a parent I know where I would want my taxes being spent. Hope you've had time to wipe the egg from your face!! Lothian and Borders Police Force. Oh and none of my children were at the event but I believe it was huge success even with the delays.

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Concerned Parent
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Mar 30, 20:07
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I would like to mirror Mr Heatlies comments in relation to this saga. As a parent of a sensible hard working young adult, the actions of the police towards my daughter have left a bitter taste. They have by their actions compared them with the Buck Fast drinking anti social groups of youths who blight our neighbourhoods. Below is the legeslation the officers used to confiscate the young adults alcohol.

In relation to this legeslation I will make a number of points

1. The Police do not have any powers to stop vehicles in relation to this act

2. The act makes specific reference to a "Public Place", one would question that a privately hired bus is a public place, as only persons who the bus had been hired for had access to it.

3. From the legeslation it would seem that not only have the police been left with egg on their faces it would appear the acted outwith the law, leaving every seizure of alcohol questionable.

4. To the Border Telegraph, if you are going to print about the actions of the police do some research as to the powers they have invoked, then your article can be seen as balanced.

5. In the light of my infomation could you think about changing the***le of the article.

"Heavy Handed Police Steal Alcohol" might be more suited

The Legeslation...

Crime & Punishment (Scotland) Act 1997 - Confiscation of Alcohol

(1) Where a constable has reasonable grounds for suspecting that a person in a public place -

(a) is under the age of 18; and

(b) is in possession of alcoholic liquor, within the meaning of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 1976,he may require that person to surrender that liquor to him, and may dispose of it in such manner as he considers appropriate; and he may

also require that person to supply him with his name and address.

(2) Where a constable has reasonable grounds for suspecting that a

person of or over the age of 18 has alcoholic liquor in his possession

in a public place and that that person -

(a) has supplied such liquor to a person under the age of 18 for

consumption in a public place; or

(b) intends that that liquor should be consumed in a public place by a

person under the age of 18

the constable may require the person in possession of the liquor to

surrender it to him, and may dispose of it in such manner as he

considers appropriate; and he may also require that person to supply

him with his name and address.

(3) Subject to subsection (4) below, it shall be an offence punishable

on summary conviction by a fine not exceeding level 2 on the standard

scale for a person to fail to comply with a requirement made under

subsection (1) or (2) above.

(4) Where a constable makes a requirement such as is mentioned in

subsection (1) or (2) above he shall inform the person concerned -

(a) of his suspicion; and

(b) of the fact that failure to comply with a requirement made under

either of those provisions is an offence.

(5) A constable may arrest without warrant any person who fails to

comply with a requirement made under subsection (1) or (2) above.

(6) In this section "public place" includes-

(a) any place to which the public have access for the time being

(whether on payment of a fee or otherwise); and

(b) any place to which the public do not have access but to which the

persons mentioned in subsection (1) or (2) have unlawfully gained

access,

but does not include licensed premises within the meaning of the

Licensing (Scotland) Act 1976.(Section 61)

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cailean fraser
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Mar 30, 20:21
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aww man awesome night, that idea of the drink straped to the inside of the leg worked a treat for the guys (under the kilt job). i guess you can never bust them all

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Attending pupil
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Mar 30, 21:00
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All in all it wap great success thanks to the two girls who organised such a good event. I had a great night but think it's absolutly ridiculous the raid was just sprung on us out of nowhere. I think the police only acted in such a way because they knew they could. It was ridiculous the way the police acted and it put a downer on the beginning of the night but after that it was the best night i'd had in ages.

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Michael Traill
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Mar 30, 21:40
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Perhaps those who feel that the officers were out of order should submit a proper written complaint to the Proffessional Standards Unit where it can be investigated property.

Im no fan of the police but making wild accusations on an online forum does the cause no good what so ever!

And I dont think the children involved are innocent either!

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Attendee
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Mar 30, 21:47
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The police presence was not as "high-profile" as has been portrayed. They certainly were not there for the duration of the dance, and as a result many of the students in attendence obtained alcohol from local off-licences and supermarkets.

It was an excellent night, and the event brought together the 9 schools from across the Borders for an evening of soc*alising. This is important at a time where many of the people in attendence are moving away from home for the first time in a couple of months. It was an excellent way for people to meet one another before leaving for university. The police ought to focus their attention on the nightclubs in Galashiels which have been known to regularly serve underage customers. This occurs on a regular basis. It is ridiculous that those aged 18 or over had their alchohol confiscated by the police. I overheard one conversation where one girl commented on an officer's remarks, "He said I could go down to the station and get it in the morning! Not likely!" I'm sure however, she did, since it was apparently a bottle of Champagne.

What's more the confiscation of alchopops is pointless, since at 4% it would take several bottles to cause one person to become even slightly intoxicated. What a waste of time. The officers ought to be out there patrolling the streets, battling real crimes (not that there is a huge incidence of that in the Borders...). What a waste of the taxpayer's money in man-hours!

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Attending pupil and waitress
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Mar 30, 22:00
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Well after seeing all fun that attending pupils had without drink and alcohol, myself being one of them I would like to say to the police of the borders, that I see children as young as 12 and even younger on the street drinking and they were worried about some respectible 16 - 18 year olds having some fun in a safe well organised environment! I think it's crazy!! The two girls who organised the event (who I both know very well) did an excellent job and cannot b faulted at all!

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Attending pupil
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Mar 30, 23:06
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Well done Lothian and Borders Police, you've shown teenagers that you are arrogant, mocking, and unprofessional in your work, if the stories my fellow students assert are true. Not only that, did you happen to know that there was a party hosted for a junior sect of the school, where alcohol was consumed and -apparently- scuffles did break out? It's nice to know the police have their priorities straight, and are going for the teenagers who cannot drink sensibly, and may cause harm to one and other.

I would have to say I agree with Mr John Heatlie's comments, but would like to add that I am irritated at the lack of research the Border Telegraph has put into this, based on the above article.

This was not an annual event, it was the first of it's kind.

There was no heavy police presence throughout the night, I was neither searched nor asked for my ticket.

"many of the youngsters still managed to sneak drink into the dance by taping bottles to their legs hidden under their ball gowns."

Having one photo of a girl who did this does not allow you to presume that many of us did this. Before reading this article I was not aware of this strategy.

This raid has only taught younger pupils to smuggle their alcohol in case of search, meaning they will need smaller quantities of alcohol. As they will still wish to become intoxicated, this will merely lead to a rise in teenagers drinking spirits... Or, alternatively, they may relay entirely on private gatherings where the police require a warrant, or on drinking in the streets more often, so that they become a danger to others. Going after teenagers, whom the drinking law only just applies too is not an effective means to combat under-age drinking, it better prepares the juniors, who will learn from our mistakes.

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Selkirk Parent
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Mar 31, 08:15
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Re. Michael Traills comments, my comments are already penned and have been sent to the appropriate bodies, and I know of a few other letters heading the same way, people are using the forum as our thoughts and opinions if only sent to officials would never be see the light of day!!!!

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Hawick high school Attendee
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Mar 31, 09:34
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"And I dont think the children involved are innocent either!"

Well let's be honest here mike, "Children"? Really? If not already 18, students are approaching that age and it is clearly evident that having almost completed senior school we are responsible enough to handle a small amount of alchohol. Back in your day, things may have been different, but times change. Having the police "force" make themselves look like they're doing an amazing job by cracking down on underage drinking is ridiculous. Its blatantly obvious that at organised events such as new year celebrations etc the average drinking age is far lower than that of a one off night attended by what could arguably be the most mature students in the borders as they are the senior students who are most likely moving on to higher education. So Mike, if you would care to retract your previous statement i would be very greatful. And a thanks to all the supporting adults for your arguments in our favour as we feel we have been treated unfairly.

One last comment, I hope the police dont feel they were successful in this "crackdown" as if they had bothered to show up at the end of the night they would have seen all of the alchohol bottles they quite clearly missed. But thanks again for an amazing night.

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AttendingPupil
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Mar 31, 09:38
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The Police once again try and portray themselves as the heroes, but why? They concentrate on the people who are 17/18 and take their drink off them at an event where there are adults who can keep an eye on us. There are young children on the streets drinking and taking drugs without parental consent putting themselves at risk, but instead the police as usual get the "easy" job. I would just like to repeat the point that has been made about The Telegraph printing out a one sided article, this should be two sided and many of us who attended the ball were in a sober state and were able to handle ourselves and the ones who did have drink were either 18 or had their parents permission to drink. Instead of useing up my parents money and others on tax for the budget we hear so much about, the police should concentrate on the real problems that are happening instead of tackling minor issues.I would just like to say aswell that the girls did an amazing job of organising this event and for once young adults should be getting praised for their success but instead we get bad press as usual. It's an absoloute joke and the police need to sort out their priorities.

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Stacey Richardson
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Mar 31, 11:00
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The kids involved acted very immature, it is sad that they have to drink to have a good time. Straping drink to their legs is desprite and undignified.

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joe bloggs
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Mar 31, 11:28
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its stupid for the police to 'raid' 17 and 18 year olds because they are responsible for their own actions and, even if some of them act immature, they clearly know what they're doing. are you seriously telling me that these policemen didnt have a drink in their teens? if they have teenage sons or daughters, do they not allow them a drink at christmas, new year or another special occasion? thanks to the police, people will always remember their leavers night being ruined (without a warrant, which is illegal). although alcohol IS illegal for under 18's i think that an excetion should have been made for the leavers ball, and the license should have been given so that people could have enjoyed a social drink with their dance and meal. instead, as usual, the police have barged in and ruined everything. the borders have more important crime issues than teenage drinking - what about the heroin addicts, the neds who kick in old people, shoplifters, fraudsters or burglars? the police need to remember that they are here to SERVE the public, not act as an authority over them. now go and do your real jobs rather than ruining a social evening. people hate the police even more after this.

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NOT HAPPY
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Mar 31, 12:17
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"The kids involved acted very immature, it is sad that they have to drink to have a good time. Straping drink to their legs is desprite and undignified"

The 17 year olds understand that it is illegal but I do not appreciate being called "immature..sad..deperate" etc. let alone being called a 'kid'. The reason why this is becoming such an issue is because the crude comments that were made to us, the fact that the broadcasted story is one-sided, and the fact that the 18 year old immature kids had their alcohol taken off them after showing legit identification, and now not being given it back. IT'S LEGAL!

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rAPber
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Mar 31, 13:14
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"The kids involved acted very immature, it is sad that they have to drink to have a good time. Straping drink to their legs is desprite and undignified."

my question is would you prefer kids to be drinking in a safe and supervised environment or would you prefer then to be drinking on the corner of the street or down the local park. It is the choice of an individual what they do to their bodies.

When putting up such strong statements using the the words'immature', etc, make sure your not insulting councillors children, policemen and womens children and should i even say it, people in very high profiled jobs. Its highly distasteful, do you even know anyone who was there or involved.

As a well known member of the community, i feel that the action taken by the police in regards to this event, even tho legal in part, was somewhat over the top. if they were aiming for a publicity stunt they certainly made one. however, relations with these young folk has now been somewhat damaged, whether certain things said are true or not is not important. instead of wasting they time and resources on this- they could of been in the busy town centres dealing with the known under 16's who regular consume alcohol and cause criminal damage to premises in the towns as well as being a pest to the legal drinkers who get grief from what i call the 'True under-age drinking problem', your classic 11-16 year olds, who are pretty much immune to any criminal punishment as a result of their actions.

if the lisence for the fully functional bar had been granted at the hall then alcohol comsumption would not of been an issue in the first place. heres a publicity stunt from the police that has hull marks of bumping up government statistics to 'gain' rewards. My opinion is i pay tax, now stop wasting my money and come up with a more effective way of educating people to the risk of drink...i.e D.A.R.E programme that has won many awards across the world- from its base in America across the world

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Pupil
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Mar 31, 14:03
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as for stacey "immature" "Undignified" as i attended the ball all i can say is everyone i saw at the ball was acting maturely and having fun. the only reason for hiding drink is that the police had forced in desprate measures.if the police had done their job properly then they would of searched the bags of every pupil attending but instead they just picked on certain individuals. i for one had a drink but still think i acted maturely. Maybe everyone should get their facts straight i.e stacey and the police and the telegraph instead if throwing wild accusations around.

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Attendee
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Mar 31, 15:20
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Firstly, this event was nothing to do with the schools. It was organised outside of school and it was a private event. It just happened to be that it was for school leavers, therefore it has no reflection on the school or their staff!

Secondly, I would like to question why the police only stopped buses from 3 areas, with the focus being on Galashiels, Hawick and Duns. Earlston and Selkirk buses were not stopped and searched. I can assure you that some of the young men and women from ALL areas had partaken in some consumption of alcohol, however not ALL of the young people had consumed alcohol, or even intended to.

Thirdly, why is it that when we are attending school, studying, working hard towards our highers, carrying out voluntary work as well as holding down jobs, we are referred to as "young adults" but when we try to have a bit of safe, organised fun we are referred to as "immature kids".

Lastly, I would like to thank the two organisers who have brought many young people from different areas together, something that would never have happened previously. I had a fantastic alcohol-free night! WELL DONE GIRLS!

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Attendee
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Mar 31, 15:50
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Firstly, this event was nothing to do with the schools. It was organised outside of school and it was a private event. It just happened to be that it was for school leavers, therefore it has no reflection on the school or their staff!

Secondly, I would like to question why the police only stopped buses from 3 areas, with the focus being on Galashiels, Hawick and Duns. Earlston and Selkirk buses were not stopped and searched. I can assure you that some of the young men and women from ALL areas had partaken in some consumption of alcohol, however not ALL of the young people had consumed alcohol, or even intended to.

Thirdly, why is it that when we are attending school, studying, working hard towards our highers, carrying out voluntary work as well as holding down jobs, we are referred to as "young adults" but when we try to have a bit of safe, organised fun we are referred to as "immature kids".

Lastly, I would like to thank the two organisers who have brought many young people from different areas together, something that would never have happened previously. I had a fantastic alcohol-free night! WELL DONE GIRLS!

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Attendee
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Mar 31, 16:19
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I would like to question why the Telegraph interview Ms Swanston in relation to the weekend's events. As has previously been pointed out, the evening was organised outwith school therefore she has NO business commenting on the Dance. It was a lovely evening, and as for you to suggest that everyone had consumed alchohol I can name (but shan't) 4 people at our table alone who had no intentions of drinking before they arrived, and not one of them did so.

In addition, I would also like to enquire as to whether the girls portrayed in the pictures have been asked for permission to print their photographs. If blacking out their eyes was an attempt to conceal their identity I can say it has sorely failed.

My final point is that which is repeated many times above: we are not children. There may have been a group of certain individuals who ought not to have behaved in the manner that they did. My question is why ought we to be tarred with the same brush.

I also love that the BBC, STV and the Telegraph has insisted that it is an annual event! Great journalism there guys, really that is just a superb job at getting things wrong as per ususal.

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Parent of Attendee
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Mar 31, 16:21
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It sounds to me that the way the police dealt with this was highly unprofessional and intimidating.

However I beleive the online form is becoming a bit one sided with posts from angry school kids and irresponsible parents.

I agree that the measures the classmates took just to have drink and the aggression towards the police shows that they are not "young adults" and have a lot of growing up to do.

I hope all the children have learnt that drink isn't needed to have a good night, this was proven from the successful drink free night. My daughter is not aloud out again until she is 18 in 3 months.

This was not a celebration for finishing their studies, it was an excuse for underaged drinking. This nice night was abused.

The bahaviour from the classmates just shows why they are still seen as children.

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******
Mar 31, 16:25
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joebloggs
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Mar 31, 16:30
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"As a well known member of the community" - Big fish little pond.

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Ok
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Mar 31, 17:08
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Not quite sure what the parent who has grounded her child wants to gain except from isolating her child from the people they should be mingling with before going to college or uni. all i can say is the police where a bit heavy handed with the way they treated us. police wonder why they dont get respect from us 17/18 year olds well there is the reason. also i for one know an 18 year old who had their drink confiscated. a bit stupid isnt it.

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Attendee
Unregistered User
Mar 31, 20:35
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Im 18. I attended the event. My drink (un-opened) got removed from my bag while I was up dancing (sober) even though I had my passport in my bag. Gosh, I guess I must be an immature kid who was drinking underage. I guess it must have been my own fault for bringing drink to a clearly marked drinking event. Where is the justice in that?

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The Organisers
Unregistered User
Apr 1, 13:24
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Dear Editor

Being one of the organisers of the ball, i feel the whole policing situation got out of control. We informed the police of the event a while before it happened, and asked for all legal requirements for example, Public Liability Insurance, Public Entertainment licenses, Bar licenses etc. We asked to have a bar license, which would control the underage drinking within the premises as everyone who requested to drink would have had to show Identification!!! However, the police themselves withdrew the license, therefore we could only supply soft drinks to the attendees. As a result of this, many attendees chose to ask Parents for drink if they were under the age of 18 to bring it to the event. 18 year olds immediately assumed they were allowed to take drink as they were of legal age. However, the police on the night of the ball confiscated drink from any person they seen with it, whether they were 17 or 18. I agree with John Heatlie when he says that the Police have "shot themselves in the foot". Also, we were approached by very pleasant Police officers at Springwood Park. They informed us that they would intend on searching everyones bag (only boys large rucksacks were checked). While this was occuring, police from Hawick, Gala and Duns were raiding buses without warrants....which i believe is an illegal offence. Myself and the other organiser went through hours and hours of stress before the event to make it in line with legal requirements. I feel we were acting as young adults by doing this, but now we are being portrayed as childish, immature and irresponsible drink related kids.

The main reason of the event was to bring the schools of the Borders together to soc*alise before we all went to Uni. Overall the night was very successful and the police were very unsuccessful in confiscating the drink of the majority of individuals.

Thankyou all for coming :)

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Pupil
Unregistered User
Apr 1, 15:55
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It was a highly enjoyable night, however many of my peer's felt they were dealt with in an unfair manner. I can't blame the police for doing their job but I will comment on the actions that were taken: Some (not all) of the Police officers were intimidating which caused some pupils on the bus to become upset on a night which should have been enjoyable. I myself do not drink, however some of my 18 year old friends had their un-opened drink taken from them and are unable to reclaim it.

I feel that there are more pressing and worrying issues to be targeted such as 13/14 year olds drinking on the streets of all of the Border towns instead of targeting 17/18 year olds attending a safe and private event.

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ok
Unregistered User
Apr 1, 22:35
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How childish.

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