Test purchasing operation carried out in Oakham
Police have been targeting the problems associated with underage drinking by carrying out test purchasing operations at both pubs and off-licences in Rutland.On the evening of Friday 16th December 2011 officers, visited eight pubs and one off licence in Oakham. They were accompanied by a 15 year old female who was told to give her true age if she was asked for identification.
Disappointingly, six premises (five pubs and the off licence) sold alcohol to the underage teenager and three refused.
Sergeant Matt Ditcher from Oakham police station, said; “The law is very clear – there must be no sale of alcohol to any persons under the age of eighteen. On this occasion six of the premises served alcohol to a fifteen year old. Each offence will be dealt with by local officers and further enforcement work is planned to ensure that alcohol is not being sold in pubs and off licences in Rutland to people under eighteen. The sale of alcohol contributes to anti-social behaviour and can be a risk to the health of young teenagers as well as making them vulnerable to crime if they are drunk.
“The message is clear, you must check the age of the person before you sell them alcohol.”
Sergeant Ditcher praised the shops that challenged the teenager and refused to sell.
Licensed premises that fail a test purchasing operation a second time will automatically have their licence reviewed. If anyone is caught a third time, the police will request the licence is taken from them.
