Merseyside pubs shut after one sting

Police closed two Merseyside pubs for more than 24 hours on a busy Friday evening for failing a single test-purchase operation.

The closures came directly after stings, and the furious hosts, in Newton-Le-Willows, said they were originally told they would have to close until Monday. Officers used the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 to close the outlets.

Julie Calland, of the New Market, said police burst in at 9.30pm and ordered customers to leave. "I didn't see the two girls come into the bar to set up my member of staff.

"I wasn't given an opportunity to count how many police officers were in the pub. My staff didn't have a chance to talk to me and tell me what was going on. My customers came to the front door a little bewildered and were met by a barking dog and a riot van."

The officer told her the closure would stand until staff were re-trained. Police cited a breach of the pub's operating schedule - claiming it had failed to "adopt and adhere to" the Challenge 21 age-check policy.

Calland claimed the policeman told her the relevant department was shut and no-one could see her until Monday. "I said it wasn't my problem if he couldn't have someone in the office on Sunday." However, she visited police on Sunday and re-opened that day.

Joanne Duncals, of the Griffin, which also received instant closure, said: "My customers were devastated. We put up a sign saying: 'Closed, due to entrapment'."

Coulson said: "This is a complete abuse of the legal powers under the 2001 Act. The police don't have the power to order instant closure of the premises using this particular Act. Licensees could consider taking action against loss of profit from the police."

Police said two other Liver-pool venues were closed using the 2001 Act this week and denied hosts were told they could not open until Monday.