Proxy alcohol sale convictions still low

The number of convictions for buying alcohol for under-18s hardly changed between 2004 and 2008, but use of penalty notices soared.

However, the numbers remain very low overall — peaking at 30 convictions and 619 penalty notices per year. It shows the overall reluctance, or difficulty, around tackling "proxy sales".

New Government figures, which only go up 2008, show there were just 28 convictions in 2008. The figure varied from 18 to 30 over the four previous years. There is no separation of convictions in the on and off trade.

The number of penalty notices surged from 84 in 2004, when the power was introduced, to 253, 467 and 619 over subsequent years. The figure for 2008 was 574.

Paul Smith, executive director of late night trade body Noctis, said: "The figures are low. We can read from that there is quite a lot of effort being put to enforcement on the retailers compared to potential customers.

"That's a concern we've had for some time. All the pressure around underage sales is directed at retailers rather than people trying to buy."

The figures were revealed by home secretary Alan Johnson in response to a question in Parliament from his Conservative shadow, Chris Grayling.