Success in under-21s alcohol ban

The project, a pilot run in Larbert and Stenhousemuir, has seen calls to police about antisocial behaviour drop by 40 per cent. Breaches of the peace also fell by 40 per cent, minor assaults by nearly 30 per cent and serious assaults by 60 per cent.

Police said the programme had been successful because of the support of alcohol retailers in the towns, who have backed the move to curb sales to under-21s at key times.

Similar schemes in other areas of Scotland have also seen cuts in calls to police and anti-social offences, the Scottish Government said.

Public health minister Shona Robison said: "These dramatic results show what can be achieved when communities take bold steps to tackle alcohol misuse among young people."

She added: "The Scottish Government has spent the last few months consulting on our radical plans to tackle alcohol misuse, which include a minimum price for a unit of alcohol, raising the off-sales purchase age to 21, ending irresponsible promotions and a social responsibility fee for some retailers."

The Scottish Government's consultation on alcohol misuse closed on September 9.