In a recent test purchase campaign carried out by Conwy Trading Standards and North Wales Police, nine out of ten premises served alcohol to a 15 year old girl.
In a joint operation, licensed premises were targeted to identify where underage sales were taking place. Testing took place on 4th and 11th December 2009 and 15th January 2010 using underage youngsters to make alcohol purchases around the county borough.
Ten pubs were tested up to 3 times, once per night. On the first visit nine out of the ten served the underage customer. Of these, five served on a second visit and two premises sold alcohol to the youngster on all three occasions.
The Ship, Old Colwyn and the Bull, Abergele have been advised by Trading Standards Officers that they now face the option of being prosecuted, or of voluntarily closing for 48 hours from 26th to 28th February 2010. They will also face a review of their licence, which could ultimately result in their licenses being suspended or revoked, if they fail future tests.
Those premises that sold on two occasions will also be subject to review.
The premises that sold on one occasion have received a formal letter of warning, which is noted on their file.
Dave Beesley of Conwy County Borough Council’s Trading Standards said:
“Underage drinking is not only directly linked to anti-social behaviour, but also badly affects the health of those involved. There is no positive side to youngsters drinking alcohol. Young people know this, but how can we expect them to take the message seriously when some professional licensees, people who are trusted to sell alcohol in a socially responsible manner, serve underage drinkers as a matter of course?”
“Underage test purchasing, backed up where necessary by appropriate enforcement action, is the only way to deal with the small number of licensed premises who persistently break the law and refuse to act in a socially responsible manner.”
Inspector Essi Ahari said :
“Alcohol related anti-social-behaviour is a major concern to the residents of Colwyn Bay and Abergele. Our neighbourhood policing team have warned licensees to take positive action to stop underage drinking in their premises. It is very disappointing that many have failed to comply with the law. Of course we will continue to work closely with the industry for a healthy and vibrant night time economy, but test purchase operations will continue and appropriate action will be taken to identify premises which flout the law.”
