Pubs shut after persistent sales to kids

Licences of 54 venues were suspended for up to 48 hours over a 12 month period for persistently selling alcohol to children.

A further 12 had their licences suspended by courts for up to three months for the offence.

The figures, which relate the period between April 2008 and March 2009, were revealed by Licensing Minister Gerry Sutcliffe in response to a Parliamentary question by Conservative Shadow Home Secretary Chris Grayling. Grayling asked for figures relating to nightclub but Sutcliffe said the data isn't broken down into the type of venue.

The crime of persistently selling alcohol to children, defined as three underage sales within a three-month period, came into force in April 2007.

Last week an Essex pub that fell foul of the offence last year had its licence revoked.

The licence of the Squirrels in Brentwood Road, Romford, was suspended for three months last September after three underage sales.

It remained open after an appeal was lodged at magistrates - and then failed two further sting operations.

The Licensing sub-committee also ordered the designated premises supervisors to be removed when the licence was revoked last week. The decision does not take place for 21 days or until an appeal is heard.

Cllr Peter Gardner, the council's cabinet member for trading standards and community safety, said: "We work very closely with the licensed trade across the borough to promote sensible attitudes to drinking and I'm glad to say the vast majority understand their obligations.

"However, we will come down like a tonne of bricks on anyone who cannot run their premises in a responsible way - especially when the sale of alcohol to children is involved."

The news comes as the Government pushes for new powers to fine licensees £20,000, or jail them for up to six months, for not asking ID of anyone who appears under-18 under the mandatory alcohol retailing code.