Nearly half of UK 14-year-olds have tried alcohol, figures show

Findings from on risky behaviours will help to design interventions, say researchers

Almost half of children in the UK have tried alcohol by the age of 14, while nearly 20% have had a run-in with the police, new figures have revealed.

The research also found that among 14-year-olds, 17% of boys and 8% of girls had gambled in the previous four weeks, 17% had tried a cigarette at some point, and more than one in 10 admitted to binge drinking on at least one occasion - defined as consuming five or more alcoholic drinks in one sitting.