Police Crackdown On Selling Alcohol To Under 18s

10th October 2012

Three Shetland businesses to be reported to the Procurator Fiscal for allegedly selling alcohol to minors.

Northern Constabulary officers have reported three businesses in Shetland to the Procurator Fiscal for allegedly selling alcohol to underagers.

The three businesses, one in Scalloway and two in Lerwick, failed a recent Test Purchasing operation held by Police.

Police will be carrying out further test purchase operations in Orkney, Caithness, Sutherland and East Ross during the remainder of October and into November.

Test purchasing powers are used to root out any licensed traders who sell alcohol to minors, adding to alcohol related problems, such as anti-social behaviour, disorder and vandalism.
The scheme consists of a fully briefed teenager (under 18 years of age) entering licensed premises under controlled conditions and in line with ACPOS agreed guidelines to purchase alcohol.

If the proprietor does not ask the person their age and allows them to purchase alcohol they will be committing an offence, even if their excuse is that they thought they were 18.

Licence holders will not be duped into committing an offence because if they, as they should do, ask the age of the test purchaser then the youngsters will answer truthfully.

Public houses, off-sales, and nightclub proprietors are reminded they could face losing their licence if they are found to be selling alcohol to anyone under 18.

The Police-led initiative is being supported by Highland Council, The Orkney Islands Council, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, Licence Trade Association and Crimestoppers.
Wick based Detective Sergeant Craig Thomson who is leading the Operation, said: "In every community, there are public places where groups of youths congregate for the purpose of consuming alcohol. This often results in anti-social behaviour and has obvious implications on the quality of life for the communities.

"Undoubtedly, many of the problems associated with youths can be directly attributed to the consumption of excessive amounts of alcohol. We are responding to the needs of our communities by pro-actively tackling this issue at the source, identifying and bringing to justice those who are perpetuating the problem of anti-social behaviour within our communities for the sake of profit.

"It is an offence to sell alcohol to anyone under 18. It is not just the licence holder who is responsible, but also all the staff working in any licensed premises. The message is: Can't Tell, Don't Sell, It's Your Responsibility."

Jim Ferguson, Crimestoppers Highland chairman, said: "Crimestoppers fully supports Northern Constabulary's initiative in robustly tackling the problem of alcohol sales to underage youths.
"We are keen for members of the public to use the Crimestoppers anonymous number 0800 555 111 to pass information to our call centre with any information they may have of any off-licences violating the conditions of their alcohol licence.

"Underage drinking has serious consequences, sometimes causing long term health problems and more often than not leading to anti social behaviour. Crimestoppers commend Northern Constabulary for taking such a firm stance for the benefit of all concerned."

Anyone who has information relating to the sale of alcohol to minors is urged to contact Police on 0845 600 5703 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.