Pubs pass Home Office test

The vast majority of pubs visited during the first month of the Home Office's summer crackdown have been given a clean bill of health.

Despite TV and radio headlines this morning claiming many pubs are serving to under-18s, most pubs were found to be serving customers responsibly.

Of more than 10,000 pubs visited since the campaign began on July 8, fewer than five per cent were found to have committed some form of offence.

But of 153 'sting' operations targeted at pubs which are known to have had trouble in the past, 78 sold to underage customers - which gave the national media their headlines.

The eight-week campaign is targeting drink-related disorder and underage sales in 92 communities across England and Wales.

"The overwhelming message from the first month of the campaign is that the vast majority of pubs are well-run and law abiding businesses," said Mark Hastings, communications director for the British Beer & Pub Association.

"More than 95% of pubs visited were found to fully comply with the law across a range of issues."

But the underage sales among persistent offenders highlighted once again the need for a national proof-of-age card, added Hastings.

Tony Payne, chief executive of the Federation of Licensed Victuallers Associations, said the figures on under-age sales showed that only a very small minority had broken the rules.

"If it has happened we cannot condone it but it is only a small minority," he said. "However there has to be a parental responsibility and it can't always be down to the publicans."

Stephen Green, spokesman for the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), said he found the figures on underage sales "disturbing".

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239 licensed premises found guilty in clampdown (29 July 2004)

Government's alcohol clampdown continues (22 July 2004)

First week of police clampdown hailed a success (15 July 2004)

Government launches enforcement initiative (28 June 2004)