This in from the Police, in their own words. Ed
Pubs on the Isle of Wight have been revisited as part of a continuing juvenile test-purchasing operation run jointly by the Isle of Wight Council trading standards service and the police licensing team.
However, results were disappointing after two bars in Ryde and a public house and hotel in Shanklin sold alcohol to a 16-year old, with staff failing to request proof of the purchaser’s age. Penalty notices were issued to the staff responsible and the business owner.
Previously failed pubs passed new test
A further four pubs and two shops were tested, but staff checked for proof of the customer’s age and refused the sale. These included three public houses which had previously failed a test purchase.
Amanda Gregory, Isle of Wight Council regulatory services manager said: “It is very disappointing these four premises failed test purchase operations. The council works very closely with the police and we take a very dim view on any business that fails these operations, whether it be for selling alcohol, knives, tobacco or any other age-restricted product.
“We will be working with the businesses concerned to remind them of the law and offer advice and guidance to ensure underage sales are not repeated. However, the very point of these exercises is to stamp out any illegal underage sales, and we would hope the shock of being caught and fined will make staff be more proactive and ask for ID from anyone who looks underage.”
Bar staff must carry out ID checks
Licensing Sergeant Mark Voller said: “Whilst the correct course of action taken by staff shows our advice has been adhered to, the checks also revealed how easy it can be for under-18s to be served on certain premises if the staff are not paying attention.
“The consequences for licensees who fail to address this issue are serious; police may impose a closure order on any premises which persistently sells alcohol to young people. In addition authorities may call for the premises licence to be reviewed. Such ready sale of alcohol to youths in local bars demands that we step-up these test operations.
“To prevent illegal sales bar staff must carry out ID checks in line with the ‘proof of age’ policy operating on the premises. We also advise younger customers over the age of 18 to obtain suitable proof of ID, such as a PASS card, to be produced each time they buy alcohol.”
Image: lets go everywhere under CC BY 2.0
