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See other news storiesStopping alcohol sales to under-18s
13 November 2006
More than 40 off-licences, shops and pubs face having their licences to sell alcohol reviewed after an operation targeting retailers who sell to underage drinkers.
Police and Trading Standards ran a joint investigation into the sale of alcohol to under-18s over a three week period in 27 hotspots across England and Wales. Targeting businesses suspected of illegal sales, investigators visited 224 shops and bars with young 'purchasers' posing as shoppers trying to buy alcohol.
All the businesses were visited more than once, and while most shops and bars rightly refused to sell alcohol to minors on every occasion, 42 of them never challenged the youthful purchasers, even after they were made aware that the operation was underway. Those retailers will now have their licences reviewed by local authorities, and could face restrictions of their licence to sell alcohol or could have their licences revoked altogether.
The investigation was part of the Tackling Underage Sales of Alcohol Together campaign, which ran through most of October, and was made possible in part by the Licensing Act 2003, which came into effect last year. The act is designed to empower police and residents to report problems with alcohol vendors.
Committed to stopping underage drinking
Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker said the operation reflects the government's commitment to crack down on underage drinking and other alcohol-related disorder.
'While I recognise the work undertaken by the drinks industry to tackle underage sales, the fact that 42 premises are going to have their licences reviewed shows that there is still more to do,' Mr Coaker said.
He said further alcohol-related operations are likely in the coming months as part of an effort to stop crime and disorder fueled by alchol.
Police and Trading Standards working together
The Chief Constable of Northumbria Police, Mike Craik, the lead on alcohol-related disorder for the Association of Chief Police Officers, said police forces across the country would work together with Trading Standards to identify alcohol-related businesses operating illegally and bring them to justice.
'The law cannot and will not be flouted by irresponsible retailers, and this campaign shows the robust stance police forces across the country are taking to reduce alcohol-related disorder,' he said.
