Bracknell

Staff at two off-licences in Bracknell have been fined for selling alcohol to a young person under the age of 18.

Police and trading standards officers from Bracknell Forest Borough Council carried out test purchase operations at six licensed premises in the Bracknell area on Saturday (23/6). Two off-licences failed to check the age of the purchaser, who was under 18. In each case, staff members were issued with £80 fixed penalty notices.

Insp Vicki Linton-Smith of the Bracknell Community Safety team said: “This weekend’s test purchase operation was part of a regional campaign to tackle underage sales of alcohol*. The first stage took place in May, when we visited a number of licensed premises in the Bracknell area, all of which complied with the law.

“The campaign has been widely publicised. In addition, all licensed premises should be aware of the Challenge 21 policy, which requires them to challenge anyone purchasing alcohol who looks under 21, and ask for a recognised form of identification such as a passport, driving licence or approved ID card.

“The consumption of alcohol by under-18s is the source of a lot of anti-social behaviour, such as excessive noise, litter, vandalism and intimidation of local residents. However, crime and disorder are not our only concerns. By getting drunk, young people make themselves vulnerable to all sorts of dangers, not to mention the potential damage to their health.

“We will be carrying out further unannounced test purchases, and the drive to stop underage drinking is ongoing. Our message to all licensed premises is that police and trading standards officers will deal robustly with any business that is found to be selling alcohol to minors.

“As well as tackling the root cause of the problem, we are also confiscating alcohol from youngsters found drinking in the street or in parks.

“Pubs and off-licences are not the only sources of alcohol for underage drinkers. Many teenagers help themselves to beer or spirits from their own homes and drink it elsewhere. I would appeal to parents to keep an eye on any alcohol in the house and make sure their children aren’t taking any with them when they go out.

“For the sake of the public at large – as well as for the safety of young people themselves - we are determined to stamp out underage drinking in Bracknell Forest.”

Thames Valley Police ~ Bracknell