How many prosecutions there were for the (a) sale of alcohol to, (b) purchasing of alcohol for consumption by, (c) purchase of alcohol or i…

The available data on prosecutions for offences related to underage alcohol consumption are contained in the following table.
Please note that prosecution is not the sole course taken in dealing with these offences. Where persons under 18 possess alcohol in a public place, the police have powers under section 61 of the Crime and Punishment (Scotland) Act 1997 to confiscate this alcohol and dispose of it. If the alcohol is surrendered to the police, it is not an offence and so is not included in the recorded crime statistics. It is, however, an offence to fail to comply, for example by failing to surrender the alcohol or by failing to give his name and address if requested. Figures relating to confiscation of alcohol in the table therefore relate to persons under 18 failing to comply with this requirement.
Persons Proceeded Against in Scottish Courts for Alcohol Offences Related to Persons Under 181, Lothian and Borders Police Force, 2003-04 to 2007-08
Financial
Year
| Sale of Alcohol to Person Under 182
| Purchasing Excisable Liquor for Consumption by Person Under 18
| Person Under 18 Buying Excisable Liquor or Consuming in Bar
| Confiscation of Alcohol from Person Under 18
| Total

2003-04
| 3
| 9
|
-
| 1
| 13

2004-05
| 9
| 4
| 1
|
-
| 14

2005-06
| 12
| 10
| 3
|
-
| 25

2006-07
| 16
| 14
| 4
|
-
| 34

2007-08
| 22
| 14
| 3
|
-
| 39

Source: Scottish Government Justice Analytical Services.
Notes:
1. Where main offence.
2. Covers the crime categories sale of drink to person under 18 and wholesaler selling liquor to person under 18, although no prosecutions have been recorded under th