Increasing numbers of staff are being issued with £80 on-the-spot fines for serving underage customers.
Police and local authorities are continuing to target premises in test purchases with a view to stamping out alcohol sales to under-18s.
The operations mean that increasing numbers of staff are facing the fines while licensees could even face a review of their licence.
On March 17 four Lincolnshire pubs in Skegness and Ingoldmells were found selling to underage customers in a police sting. Fixed-penalty notices of £80 were served on four barstaff who failed to ask for identification from the two test purchasers who were aged 15 and 16. Licensees are being warned they need to ensure staff are correctly trained and there is due diligence in place.
The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA), warned operators at a BBPA Forum earlier this month that they must ensure all staff - even those who are part-time - are made aware of their responsibilities.
The BBPA is launching a national poster campaign aimed at encouraging drinkers who look under 21 to carry ID.
Pub companies will be sent promotional material for pubs letting those who appear under 21 know they may be asked for proof of age.
Tony Payne, chief executive of the Federation of Licensed Victuallers' Associations, said: "Staff can lose their jobs but a licensee can lose their licence. The question the police ask is 'are your staff trained and have you got records?'
"I think the situation is that in the past licensees have not trained their staff and, more importantly, have not kept records."
Related articles:
Pubs in Skegness caught in underage police sting (28th March 2006)