Teenagers in sting operation help catch off licences selling alcohol to kids

TWO teenagers have been used by trading standards and Derbyshire police to try and find out if any businesses in the Ilkeston area are selling alcohol to underage kids.

The action came after a number of complaints were made about antisocial behaviour and underage drinking in the town.

Two 17-year-old volunteers attempted to buy booze from the offlicences and of the 19 shops visited, seven sold drink to the teenagers.

Follow-up visits were made by trading standards officers alongside police officers to the shops that sold the alcohol and all were warned of the consequences of selling alcohol to underage customers.

Another test purchase is expected to be carried out in the town and any off-licences that sell alcohol to underage teenagers will be dealt with by formal enforcement action taken.

Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for Health and Communities Councillor Carol Hart said: “This test purchasing exercise was carried out in response to concerns raised by the police about anti-social behaviour which they believed was being fuelled by underage drinking.

“As it was possible people could be buying alcohol from local shops we worked with the police to take steps which could prevent this in future. “Selling alcohol to underage people is serious and while the traders who broke the law received a warning and advice this time if they are found to be breaking the law again the consequences could be more serious. Officers were happy to advise and give tips to traders to ensure they don’t fall foul of the law again. This included ensuring they ask for proof of age, operate a Challenge 25 policy, keep a log of refused sales and ensure all staff are trained to be vigilant.”

PC Toni Williams, from the police licensing team that took part in the operation, said: “The sale of alcohol to those who are underage has a real effect on our communities and these test purchases are an important tool in our fight against issues such as antisocial behaviour. “We have been back to those licensed premises that were found to be selling to young people without checks and ensured that strong words of advice were given and they received all the information to ensure that it does not happen again.

“We routinely undertake test purchases and licensed premises should assume that any young person entering could be another volunteer there to check on their work. If people believe that a premise is selling alcohol to anyone who is underage they can report it to the force or council in confidence.”

We have been back to those licensed premises ...and ensured that strong words of advice were given. PC Toni Williams