Fraud prosecution threat for false ID users
Underage drinkers using fake IDs could be charged with fraud — that's the stark warning from Lincolnshire police.
The force is warning under-18s not to risk a criminal record by using false of fraudulent ID to buy their alcohol when celebrating their exam results this year.
As part of a joint operation with Lincoln Big and Pubwatch, 160 driving licences, passports and novelty IDs have been seized in the last six months.
Officers believe this is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of youngsters buying and altering documents and they are warning that prosecutions may follow.
"Some people are doctoring their own documents, some people are changing dates on relative's documents and there is also evidence that people are buying stolen documents," said city centre beat manager PC Jane Pickworth.
"We know this because when we seize them we send them back to the DVLA and the Passports Agency and a number have come back as reported stolen by their rightful owners.
"So far we have simply seized these documents and sent them back. From now on we will be looking at issuing £80 fixed penalty notices to anyone purchasing alcohol for anyone under the age of 18.
"Beyond that, we are in the process of seeking advice on what fraud charges we could bring in terms of the documents that have been doctored. If we can prove that any have been stolen we will also clearly press charges."
Lincoln Big Evening Economy Manager Shaun Barnett said youngsters were also wasting their money on "novelty ID" which was being seized on a regular basis by door staff.
He warned under-18s to consider the consequences for the bar staff and licensees they trick. "Not only do you risk the £80 fine for a friend buying alcohol for you, you also risk ruining the livelihoods of the people selling it to you," he said.
"The person behind the bar who sells it can be fined and the bar could have its license revoked for selling to people under 18 — please bear in mind that your actions may affect people other than yourself."
