Police to arrest fake ID users

Police in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire have warned they will arrest teenagers using fake or false ID to gain access to pubs and clubs. The move will be...

Police in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire have warned they will arrest teenagers using fake or false ID to gain access to pubs and clubs.

The move will be welcomed by licensees who are often the only party fined for serving someone underage who has a fake ID.

The warning came after doorstaff seized two passports and eight drivers' licences from under-18s in the last two weeks. The IDs were either fake or they belonged to someone else.

Under the Identity Cards Act 2006, it is a criminal offence to possess a state-issued identity document that is false, improperly obtained or relates to someone else.

An offender can be arrested and face up to two years in prison and/or a fine.

"Not only does the real document owner have to apply for a duplicate passport or drivers' licence and foot the bill, they also have to explain how the loss occurred and the unlawfully use by someone else," said Mansfield police licensing officer Dougie Gardner.

"According to the Home Office, if this happened on several occasions it could lead to a note going on that person's record or even spark an investigation."

He added: "One girl nearly missed out on her holiday after the passport her teenage sister had borrowed for a night out got seized by door security at Liquid Nightclub. She only got it resolved one day before she was due to fly out of the country.

"It's just not worth trying. Door security are now much more vigorous in checking ID and spotting false documents and the consequences of either using someone else's ID or letting a mate borrow yours are serious."

Parents responsibility

John Clarke, chair of the Police Authority, said parents must take more responsibility for their children's actions.

"I'm pleased to see that the problem is being addressed but you still have to ask why police resources need to be used in this way. Surely the parents of these youngsters should take some responsibility for their whereabouts and check what they are up to?

"The resources spent on sorting out this type of behaviour — and its effects — could be well spent elsewhere."