Tag: Young people

Border Force: don’t let drug smugglers steal your future

Expert officers share top tips to keep young travellers safe this summer holiday season as criminals approach young people to smuggle drugs

Young people heading abroad this summer are being warned not to risk their futures by being lured into accepting a ‘free holiday’.  

Criminal gangs are using popular social media platforms to groom young people into smuggling cannabis into the UK.  

Ahead of the peak summer holiday season, Border Force has shared its top 5 tips to avoid being ensnared by smugglers.   

Seduced by the offer of free luxury holidays, business class flights and easy spending money, too many young Brits are falling into the trap of organised crime.   

The number of cannabis smugglers caught arriving in the UK by plane has surged from 142 in 2023 to 976 in 2025.

And 2026 is on track to be even worse, with 600 air passenger couriers arrested at UK airports in the first 6 months alone – with men aged 18 to 37 travelling from Thailand making up the largest group of those arrested.   

Criminal networks are specifically targeting school and university leavers, first-time travellers and those tempted by offers of cheap or free holidays from so-called friends, exploiting their inexperience and lack of awareness of the risks. 

As part of a stepped-up awareness campaign across UK airports, Border Force officers are directly warning travellers about the warning signs of criminal exploitation ahead of the busy summer holiday season.  

Border Force’s top 5 tips: 

  1. Refuse “free” holidays, flights or luxury accommodation, particularly to countries where cannabis is legal, such as Thailand, Canada, and parts of the United States. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.  
  2. Know what’s in your bag. Never travel with a bag that is not yours, and if someone tells you not to look inside your luggage, treat it as a major warning sign. If drugs are found in your bag, even if you didn’t put them there, you could face arrest, prosecution, and a criminal record.  
  3. Beware of social media approaches. Criminal gangs use platforms such as TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram to target young people. Resist their approaches as it risks a lifetime of painful consequences. Delete and block. 
  4. Keep hold of your passport and personal documents at all times. Criminal gangs may ask to take it from you, claiming it is part of a travel arrangement, but it can be a tactic to control and manipulate people, including checking in suitcases in their name. If someone wants to hold onto your passport for you, treat it as a serious red flag. 
  5. Cannabis is not legal. Criminal gangs may try to convince you that because cannabis is legal where you are travelling, it is acceptable or low risk to bring it back to the UK. It is not. International drug smuggling is a serious criminal offence that can result in imprisonment at home and abroad.  

Kate Goldstone, Border Force Lead Officer for Safeguarding, said: “Organised criminal gangs are exploiting young people for profit – living it up while leaving their courier victims facing lifetime consequences.  

“Our message to young travellers is simple. If an offer feels too good to be true, it probably is. 

“A single decision made before a holiday could lead to a criminal record, a prison sentence and years of lost opportunities.”

Border Force is warning that, regardless of how someone became involved, anyone caught smuggling cannabis could face arrest, prosecution, a criminal record, up to 14 years behind bars and restrictions on future travel, potentially damaging future employment, education, and life opportunities. 

Border Force’s cannabis seizures are now at a record high, increasing by 50% in the last year. UK law enforcement seized 2.1 tonnes of cannabis from air passengers in 2022, rising to more than 28 tonnes in 2025. 

While Thailand has been a particular focus, Border Force is warning that gangs can operate wherever cannabis is legal or more easily available, including countries such as Canada, the United States, and parts of Europe. 

The warning comes as a joint UK-Thailand crackdown on cannabis smuggling comes into force, with Brits caught attempting to smuggle cannabis from Thailand facing average fines of around £17,700 or up to 2 years in prison. 

Anyone approached about carrying cannabis or other illegal drugs should report it to local authorities, consular services, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Scran Café celebrates one year of impact at Royal Hospital for Children and Young People

Today marks one year since the opening of Scran Café at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People (RHCYP), the largest café operated by youth-led social enterprise Scran Academy.

In just 12 months, the café has become a valued and welcoming space for patients, families, NHS staff and visitors, while creating life-changing opportunities for young people across Edinburgh through real-life enterprise experience and Scran Academy’s youth programmes.

This year the café has made over 33,758 meals and 15,305 coffees, welcoming more than 37,540 customers, that’s over 200 NHS staff, patients and family members served each day, who are supporting Scran Academy’s mission to see every young person, regardless of background or barrier, realise their full potential in learning, work and life.

The RHCYP café represents this mission in action. Since opening, it has provided 8  young people with Living Wage employment, alongside work placements and volunteering opportunities, with young people making up the majority of the café team.

For many, it is their first experience of paid employment, giving them the chance to develop workplace skills, confidence and independence in a busy healthcare environment.

This impact has resulted in the café team gaining national recognition, with Scran Café becoming a finalist at the National Youth Work Awards 2026.

Reflecting on their first year, the young team at RHCYP shared: “Thank you to everyone who has supported us along the way. We are also thankful to all the people who made this possible, who have been leading and supporting us in this newly opened space.

“We have also built great friendships along the way, and we are so proud of what we have created.”

Founder and Chair of Scran Academy, John Loughton BEM, said: “This year we’ve watched young people graft, grow in confidence and build something pretty special.

“Yet again, they proved what I believe to my core: Back young people and they will amaze you.

“To NHS Lothian, our customers, partners and every person who has championed us this year, thank you for believing in young people with us.”

Mum urges young people to get MenB vaccine

A Glasgow mum is urging young people to come forward for vaccination against meningococcal group B (MenB), after her son became critically unwell with meningitis in 2023.   

The MenB vaccine, which helps to protect against meningitis and sepsis (inflammation throughout the body) caused by meningococcal group B bacteria, is now being offered for young people in clinics across Scotland.

The programme aims to protect young people who are at higher risk of infection, especially those who are preparing to start university or college in the 2026/27 academic year, where close contact and shared living arrangements can increase the risk of meningococcal disease.

Gaynor Simpson, mum to Ross who fell ill with meningitis during his first year at university in 2023, said: “Ross became critically unwell after just feeling a bit under the weather. It quickly escalated into a situation where it was unclear whether or not he would survive.

“To see your healthy, thriving 18-year-old child go from feeling a bit off colour to fighting for his life in ICU within the space of a few hours is a feeling that we, as parents, will never forget.

“We are immensely grateful that despite the severity of the infection, he is still with us. It is a very long road to recovery from meningococcal disease and as we have seen from recent outbreaks in the UK, others are not so lucky.

“It is a cruel and unforgiving disease that takes effect at terrifying speed. Given our experience, I can’t stress enough to young people and to their parents how important it is to take up the full two-dose offer of the MenB vaccine.

“It could save your child’s life.”

The MenB vaccine is being offered to:

  • young people born between 1 March 2008 and 28 February 2009, and any others who were in S6 during the 2025-26 academic year, regardless of future education plans
  • undergraduate university entrants under the age of 25 who are starting for the first time in the academic year 2026-27, including international students
  • college entrants under 25 starting for the first time in the academic year 2026-27 while living away from home in shared student accommodation, including international students.

It’s essential to receive two doses of the MenB vaccine, at least 28 days apart, for full protection. Ideally, both doses should be completed before starting college or university.

All health boards in Scotland are offering the vaccination by either appointment or drop-in clinic, or a combination of these. To find out how to get your MenB vaccine in your area, visit www.nhsinform.scot/menb-youngpeople

Dr Sam Ghebrehewet, Head of Vaccination and Immunisation at Public Health Scotland, said: “Immunisation is the most effective way of preventing illness from meningococcal disease.

The roll out of the MenB vaccination programme is an opportunity for all eligible young people to receive vital protection from such a serious and life-threatening disease. We encourage all those who are eligible to take up the offer, and to ensure both doses are received for full protection.”

Read more about Gaynor and Ross’ experience on the Meningitis Now website

More information about the MenB vaccination programme for young people:  www.nhsinform.scot/menb-youngpeople  

More information on signs and symptoms: www.nhsinform.scot/meningitis

Vaccines offer the best protection against meningococcal disease. For information on how to check your own or your child’s vaccination history: 

www.nhsinform.scot/gettingvaccinations

Local Heroes celebrate State Opening of Scottish Parliament

CHILDREN AT THE HEART OF HOLYROOD EVENT

The programme for the Opening Ceremony of the Scottish Parliament, taking place on Saturday 27 June, has been announced today.

Their Majesties The King and Queen attended the Opening Ceremony of the Scottish Parliament yesterday, formally marking the beginning of the Seventh Session of the Holyrood Parliament.

The day start with The Crown of Scotland being escorted from Edinburgh Castle. Along with the Elizabeth Sword, the Crown of Scotland was processed into the Scottish Parliament through a guard of honour made up of young people from across Scotland.

Following the arrival of The King and Queen, the event in Holyrood’s Debating Chamber began with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Brass Ensemble performing a Fanfare composed by Sir James McMillan KT CBE and conducted by John Logan.

The Mace was carried by Robert White, an administrator at the Scottish Parliament. Three Team Scotland athletes who are competing in the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games were also be part of the procession.

Boxer Nicholas Devlin will carry the Elizabeth Sword accompanied by para-athlete Joanna Robertson who will be racing on the athletics track and Beth Riva who is competing in Bowls.

The Officers of Arms was accompanied by young people from Young Scot, the Scottish Youth Parliament, RNIB Scotland (Haggeye), the John Smith Centre Parliamentary Internship Programme, sportscotland’s Young People’s Sport panel and the Young Women’s movement.

The Crown of Scotland will be borne by the Duke of Hamilton and Brandon escorted by the Lord Lyon King of Arms.

The event, which was broadcast live, included opening remarks from the Presiding Officer, Kenneth Gibson MSP. His Majesty The King then make an address to the Chamber and First Minister John Swinney MSP responded to His Majesty’s address.

The event also celebrated the special anniversaries of two of Scotland’s cultural organisations with specially commissioned performances.

The National Youth Choir of Scotland (NYCOS) is celebrating its 30th anniversary, and members of the NYCOS Edinburgh Regional Choir and NYCOS BSL Youth Choir performed Sarah Quartel’s The Beat of a Different Drum.

National Theatre of Scotland presented As Others See Us written and directed by Martin O’Connor, incorporating a poem to celebrate their 20th anniversary and an excerpt from their acclaimed production Through the Shortbread Tin and performed by members of The Lyceum Youth Theatre.

Scotland’s Makar Pàdraig MacAoidh [Peter Mackay] also delivered a poem in Gaelic called Let This Hall be Full of Noises.

Ae Fond Kiss, by Robert Burns was be performed by Rachel Groves (clarsach) and Ellie Beaton (vocalist), who are the current and previous winners of the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year.

The Parliament’s piper Stuart McMillan MSP then played Bonnie Dundee and A Hundred Pipers from the Members’ Garden to close the event.

Their Majesties then went on to meet Local Heroes, who have been nominated by MSPs for their extraordinary contribution to their local communities.

The King and Queen departed the Scottish Parliament through a Guard of Honour made up of young people.

Hope Keating, 5, from Girlguiding Scotland presented a posy to The Queen.

Police: Antisocial behaviour and youth disorder in North Edinburgh

14 YOUNG PEOPLE IDENTIFIED

We are aware of recent concerns involving groups of young people in the Pennywell and West Granton area. Our investigations have now identified 14 young people linked to 52 offences.

They and their parents/carers have been spoken to and referrals are being made to Child Protection and Youth Justice partners.

Thank you to everyone in the community who has helped us.

We remain committed to tackling behaviour that affects your quality of life and to working with partners to support young people towards safer, more positive choices.

More Youth Hubs for Scotland

18 more Youth Hubs for Scotland to help young people build skills and find jobs

·                     Thousands of young people across the country are set to receive employment, education or training support as almost 180 new Youth Hub locations are confirmed in Great Britain 

·                     Areas including Inverclyde, Aberdeenshire, Scottish borders and the Orkney Islands will see new hubs open in local sports clubs, libraries and other venues at the heart of the community – bringing support out of the jobcentre to meet young people where they are

·                     Youth Hubs are central to the UK Government’s once-in-a-generation drive to tackle youth unemployment, backed by £2.5 billion investment   

Thousands of young people across Great Britain will benefit from access to expanded employment and wrap-around support services as the locations of almost 180 new Youth Hubs – including 18 in Scotland – are confirmed this week [June 15.  

In total 28 areas of Scotland to be allocated a Youth Hub have now been confirmed (see notes to editors).

The rollout forms part of a national expansion of Youth Hubs to over 360 with the aim that a young person is no more than one hour away from a Youth Hub by public transport.  

This will ensure that vital support, delivered in the community, is available to even more young people, making local support services accessible, no matter where they live.  

From football clubs to colleges and libraries, the hubs bring together local mental health and housing support, skills and training opportunities as well as careers guidance and work opportunities with links to local employers with live job and apprenticeship opportunities.  

Confirmation of the next wave of Youth Hubs came shortly after Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden visited a youth point – the Dutch equivalent of Youth Hubs – during a fact-finding trip to the Netherlands, which has one of the world’s lowest NEET rates.  

UK Secretary of State for Work & Pensions, Pat McFadden said:  “We want to make sure young people are getting real, personalised support, that’s not one size fits all. I’ve seen how it can change lives. 

“Our Youth Hubs have over the past two years pioneered this approach – bringing job centre services together with mental health support, housing advice and more. 

“I want to turbocharge this rollout so that every young person has this support within reach that can help them move into learning or earning.” 

Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander said: “Extending the UK Government’s Youth Hubs initiative to another 18 areas across Scotland over the next 2 years, bringing the total to 28, will help ensure even more young people have access to everything from CV advice to mental health support so they can fulfil their potential. 

“Too many young Scots have been let down over recent years by a lack of opportunity. We are ensuring that up to 60,000 young people across Scotland have real pathways into work, whether that’s in our growing renewables sector, in construction trades that need skilled workers, or in hospitality.

“This is about backing Scotland’s young people with the support, training and guaranteed employment they need to build careers, not just find jobs.”

Yesterday the Work and Pensions Secretary visited a Youth Hub in England where he met young people who are currently receiving personalised guidance to allow them to move into employment and training.

“The Secretary of State heard from young people who have already been helped by the Hub, and how the range of support offered will be central to them moving forward. 

Since opening in May 2026, The Tower Hamlets Youth Hub has established itself as an exemplary Youth Hub, working with local stakeholder and partners to ensure a joined-up approach, bringing together access to mental health, wellbeing, employmnent and skills support for local young people. 

Over the next three years, the Government is expanding its network of Youth Hubs to over 360 local areas across Great Britain. This will connect every 16-24-year-old across the country with real opportunities in their local area, ensuring each person has access to high-quality, wide-ranging support to move towards learning or earning.

Our new Youth Hubs will meet young people where they are, in football stadiums and community venues across Britain, giving them access to housing support, mental health help and a clear pathway into work or training, exactly as Alan Milburn recommended.  

Youth Hubs are a key part of the £2.5 billion investment in the Youth Guarantee and come alongside changes to the Growth and Skills Levy which aim to refocus the skills system towards people at the start of their working life.  

The government is also supporting businesses to hire young workers with a Youth Jobs Grant worth £3,000 for every 18- to 24-year-old hired who has been on Universal Credit for six months, while a £2,000 apprenticeship incentive is available for each new employee aged 16-24 taken on by a small business. 

Ensuring every young person has the chance to earn or learn through the government’s Youth Guarantee and turning the tide on the nation’s high NEET rate is essential to driving the nation’s plan for growth.  

Scotland – Year 2: Angus, Inverclyde, Dumfries and Galloway, Midlothian, Scottish Borders, Highland, East Lothian, Argyll and Bute, Perth and Kinross, Moray. Total: 10 Youth Hubs.

Year 3: Stirling, City of Edinburgh, Aberdeenshire, East Renfrewshire, East Dunbartonshire, Shetland Islands, Orkney Islands, Na h-Eileanan an Iar. Total: 8 Youth Hubs.

More Scottish school leavers in positive destinations

Joint highest level since records began

The proportion of young people going into education, training or work nine months after finishing school is the joint highest since records began. Additionally, the level of young people from deprived backgrounds going into positive destinations is the highest it has ever been.

The latest Summary Statistics for Follow-up Leaver Destinations for 2024-25, show 93.5% of young people were in positive destinations including training, education, and employment. This is up from 93.1% the previous year. Alongside 2021-22 figures, this represents the joint-highest level since consistent records began.

The proportion of young people from the most deprived backgrounds in a positive follow-up destination is as high as it has ever been. The gap between those leaving school from the most (20%) and least (20%) deprived areas in accessing a positive follow-up destination was 7.6 percentage points. This is narrower than both last year (8.3 percentage points) and the pre-Covid position in 2018-19 (8.4 percentage points).

The increase in school-leavers in reaching positive destinations over the latest year has been driven by a rise in the proportion in Higher Education (from 38.1% to 40.2%) and Further Education (from 21.9% to 22.1%).

Education Secretary Màiri McAllan said: “These figures illustrate that Scotland is amongst the best places for people to start their careers and pursue their life’s passion after finishing school.

“It’s fantastic to see record-high levels of young people going onto training, education, and employment when they leave school. This is testament to the hard work of those young people, teachers and staff that support them.

“Our commitment to free university tuition, generous student support and more apprenticeships means that young people, regardless of the path they choose, have a variety of great opportunities available to them.”

A spokesperson for the Scottish Children’s Services Coalition commented: “While it is encouraging to see that the proportion of young people entering education, training or employment nine months after leaving school is at its joint highest level since records began, it is disappointing to see a widening gap between school leavers with additional support needs and those without ASN.

“In academic year 2022/23, the gap between those with ASN and those without ASN entering a positive destination stood at 6.2 percentage points. This has increased to 6.6 percentage points in 2024/25, highlighting that too many young people with additional support needs continue to face barriers to achieving positive outcomes after leaving school.

“These figures demonstrate that, despite overall progress, further action is required to ensure that all young people have equal opportunities to move into education, training or employment. This includes ensuring that children and young people with ASN receive the support they need throughout their education and during the transition from school to adulthood.

“While the overall increase in positive destinations is welcome, these figures underline the need for renewed action to ensure that young people with ASN are not left behind. The Scottish Government and local authorities must work together to ensure that sufficient resources, specialist support and effective transition planning are in place so that every young person has an equal opportunity to achieve their potential.”

2024-25 School leaver follow-up destinations

Pupils help shape violence prevention messages at Fearless event

More than 150 pupils from schools across Edinburgh came together yesterday (Thursday 11 June) for a violence prevention event, where they shared their views on safety, weapon carrying and what safer communities should look like.

Hosted by Fearless, the youth service of the charity Crimestoppers, in partnership with Police Scotland, the event took place at the Corn Exchange in Edinburgh.

It gave young people the chance to speak openly about the pressures they face, hear from expert partners, and help design messages and strategies they believe will resonate with their peers.

The event built on a previous Fearless and Police Scotland schools event on firework safety held in September 2025.

Feedback from the young people who took part helped shape the focus of this year’s programme, with pupils leading discussions on how to prevent violence and reduce weapon carrying.

Pupils will now take what they learned back into their schools and communities, helping to continue conversations about safety, choice and the impact of weapon carrying. Videos captured by young people during the day will also feature on Fearless Scotland’s social media channels, reaching hundreds of thousands of young people over the summer holidays.

Sessions on the day included:

* A session on the realities and impact of violence, followed by a creative workshop led by the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit and Police Scotland

* A social media workshop with Fearless, where young people created violence prevention messages and interviewed guests and peers

* Practical street first aid training with the Scottish Ambulance Service

* A session on the impact of antisocial behaviour with Lothian Buses

* Violence prevention input from Medics Against Violence, delivered in partnership with young people they work with

* Interactive sessions from Big Hearts Community Trust and Stellar Elevate exploring positive masculinity, online influence and knife crime

* A music workshop with Turn The Tables, giving young people the chance to create anti-violence music

Community Sport Hub and 6VT Edinburgh City Youth Café were also there to signpost young people to support, activities and positive opportunities they can get involved in over the summer.

Lisa Petrie, mum of John McNab, was also attended the event to speak to young people about John, the huge hole his death has left and the work she is doing in his memory.

 

Emily, a pupil from Craigroyston Community High School, attending the event said: “Today has been great, going around the different stations, learning more and also being listened to by all the organisations here.

“For me, hearing from John’s mum was really important. It wasn’t just someone talking to us who doesn’t understand – she’s actually been through the worst and has that real insight.

“It makes you realise that it doesn’t just affect the victim – it affects everyone around them too, people just like our own families.

“As young people, we all have a responsibility to work together and make good choices for our communities.

“You’ve got a choice – use your voice.”

Hannah, a fellow pupil added: “Often adults tell us about the consequences of crimes like this, but don’t always tell us what support is there. I think that’s been the best part of this event – seeing that there are organisations and adults who are actually here to help.

“For example, Fearless is a really important support for young people, giving them a way to report information about crime anonymously.

“You can see that the staff at Fearless don’t expect us to be perfect – they’re there to help, not judge, and to make sure we don’t end up in a bad situation. That really matters.”

Lyndsay McDade, Fearless Scotland Manager, said: “Violence prevention has to involve young people in a meaningful way. They understand what is happening in their schools, streets, group chats and communities better than anyone, and they often have the clearest ideas about what needs to change.

“Young people’s voices matter at every stage. If we want to prevent violence and respond to harm, we have to ask them what they think and genuinely listen to what they tell us. That is what today was all about.

“What matters now is that these conversations do not end when young people leave the room. The pupils who took part will go back to their schools and communities and help spread messages about safety and the impact of weapon carrying.

“We also want every young person to know that if they are worried about someone carrying a weapon or involved in violence, they can speak up to our charity 100% anonymously. No one will know who they are, but the information they share could help keep someone safe.

“We are incredibly grateful to Police Scotland and all of the partners who came together to make this event possible. Days like this show what can happen when young people are placed at the heart of prevention.”

Chief Superintendent David Robertson, Police Scotland Divisional Commander for Edinburgh,  said: “Violence has a serious impact on individuals, families and communities, particularly our young people.

“Last year, Police Scotland launched Operation Stardrop to coordinate diversionary activity with partners, including Fearless, to address the root causes of violence and help safeguard children and young people from becoming involved in violent crime, either as victims or perpetrators.

“A key part of that work is creating opportunities like today’s event, where young people can share their views and help shape the way we respond.

“It is important to remember that most children and young people are not involved in violence, but we also know that carrying weapons can have devastating consequences. That is why meaningful partnership working and early engagement with young people are so important to keeping communities safe.”

 City of Edinburgh, Council Leader Jane Meagher said: “There is no place for anti-social behaviour in Edinburgh, and that is why initiatives like the youth summit are so important.

“Following the success of last year’s event, I’m glad to see partners once again coming together with young people to have open and constructive conversations about community safety, the risks associated with weapon carrying, and what more can be done to create better neighbourhoods.

“The willingness of young people to engage with these important conversations is evident, and their voices are central to shaping solutions and helping us build a safer Edinburgh for everyone.”

BUYING ALCOHOL FOR KIDS IS A CRIME!

Adults buying alcohol for children are contributing to street disorder and underage drinking problems.

A campaign will launch in the summer holidays to drive home the message that buying alcohol for minors could land you with a fine, a jail sentence or both.

The “It’ll Cost You” campaign will launch in communities across Scotland at the beginning of the school holidays and will be fronted by Police Scotland with support from local stores and supermarkets.

Police Scotland is working with retailers, large and small, and alcohol companies to drive home the stark message that buying alcohol for children, proxy purchase, is a criminal offence.

Evaluations of the previous campaigns have shown a steady increase in awareness about the implications of supplying alcohol to minors, but it remains a serious issue with detections being made by police across Scotland during the course of last year’s campaign.

The “It’ll Cost You!” campaign is a collaboration between Police Scotland, the Scottish Alcohol Industry Partnership and Community Alcohol Partnerships.

This year’s campaign will run from 29 June in communities across Scotland.

Chief Inspector Michelle Grant, Police Scotland, said: “This campaign showcases the benefits of key partners working together to inform the public of dangers associated with underage drinking, as well as the criminal consequences for supplying those under 18 with alcohol.

“Awareness of the criminality of proxy purchase has increased in recent years, since the campaign launched, with reports being made by both retailers and members of the public.”

Luke McGarty, Chair of the SAIP Campaigns Group and Head of Policy and Public Affairs, Scottish Grocers Federation, said: “Retailers are determined to stop underage drinking and anti-social behaviour linked to alcohol.

“Our members are robust in ensuring that under 18s can’t buy alcohol from their stores, so our communities need to support these efforts and be aware of the consequences of proxy purchasing.  

“The “It’ll Cost You!” campaign fits perfectly with SGF’s position of promoting responsible community retailing. We look forward to continuing to work with our partners on the campaign again this year.”

Tam Cassidy, Community Alcohol Partnerships said, “As the school summer holidays approach, the campaign is a timely reminder to everyone about the consequences of buying alcohol for children and about the impact that underage drinking can have on our communities.  

“That’s why we will be working with Police Scotland and the Police Scotland Youth Volunteers, to make sure we highlight the campaign in all the work we will be doing in local communities over the summer holidays and beyond.”

Children only get 18 summers – let’s make this a safe one

FEARLESS LAUNCHES SUMMER CAMPAIGN

Fearless, the youth service of Crimestoppers, has launched its earliest ever summer campaign across Scotland to help young people stay safe from the very start of the holidays.

Supported by Network Rail Scotland, the campaign launches today, weeks before schools break up – so young people hear these messages before summer reaches its peak. It focuses on making positive choices, staying safe online, violence prevention, looking out for each other and knowing how to speak up 100% anonymously if they are worried about crime.

It also comes ahead of key moments in the summer calendar, including the end of exams and major events and festivals across Scotland, when more young people are out and about, travelling and spending time in new places with friends.

Throughout the summer, Fearless will be out in communities, transport hubs and at major events including Youth Beatz and TRNSMT, speaking directly with young people. The campaign offers practical, non-judgemental support wherever young people spend their time. It will also run across TikTok and Snapchat, with content shaped by young people themselves and grounded in the reality of their lives.

Through fearless.org, young people can share information about crime 100% anonymously. No names. No contact details. No way of tracing where potentially lifesaving information came from.

 Lyndsay McDade, Fearless National Manager for Scotland, said: “As a mum to teenagers, I’m very aware that children only get 18 summers before adulthood. I want this to be a great one for young people right across Scotland.

“I want all young people to enjoy themselves, get home safely every day and feel supported to make good choices. That’s what summer should be.

“That’s why we’re launching our campaign earlier than ever, with more visibility and more time spent where young people are, giving them the information and conversations they need to navigate the holidays.

“If you work with or look after young people, please tell them about our charity. They can follow us on our new Scotland TikTok @Fearless_Scot and use our website fearless.org to get the information they need to keep them safe.

“We all need to be there for young people this summer. We need to be present. We need to recognise that they belong in our communities and show them that we believe in them.”

Innis Keith, Health, Safety and Environment Director at Network Rail Scotland, said: “Thousands of journeys are made safely every day on Scotland’s Railway.

“The real risk comes from poor decisions like trespassing, taking shortcuts, or trying to take photos or videos near the tracks. Moments like these can have life‑changing or fatal consequences.

“Through Fearless, we want young people to understand that their choices in those moments really matter.

“The campaign gives them the confidence to look out for themselves and their friends, to speak up when something feels wrong, and to make better decisions around the railway.

“When they feel informed and supported, it’s more likely they’ll make choices that get them home safely.”