HIGH-VISIBILITY police patrols will be carried out at a known underage drinking hotspot after a youngster was taken to hospital.

Police in Dunbar are working to tackle underage drinking and anti-social behaviour at Lochend Woods, near the town’s primary school’s Lochend Campus.

Constable Gavin Ross, Dunbar and East Linton Community Officer, told the Courier that the main concern was keeping the youngsters safe. He said: “It seems to be early to mid-teens [involved] and is a problem that comes and goes all the time.

“It is particularly bad just now and it generally gets worse at this time of year. There is the cover of darkness, the excitement of Hallowe’en, Bonfire Night and the public are extra aware of it just now.”

The officer, who switches to the National Wildlife Crime Unit at the end of the month, said the issue of youth-related anti-social behaviour had quietened down earlier in the year.

However, it had reared its head recently with a number of steps now being taken to combat the issue after “at least one youth was hospitalised through overconsumption of drink”.

PC Ross said: “In November, it will be given a huge amount of attention and has gone as far as changing shifts on at least one weekend to make sure we have got boots on the ground to deal with them.

“We will be attending shops and off-licences to make sure they are not selling to underage people.”

Businesses will also be encouraged to report any signs of adults buying alcohol for youths as well.

Anyone who does see any anti-social behaviour is encouraged to contact Police Scotland on 101.