Tighter controls urged on underage sale stings
Police and local authorities need to up their game to deal with underage drinking, according to a leading test purchasing company.
Serve Legal, which carries out test purchasing operations across the country, said it is time to stop blaming retailers alone and that government should take a closer look at the issue.
The company says pubs and shops are "in an impossible position" because there is no consistent national policy to tackling underage sales.
The government is already planning to double the fine for underage sales to £20,000, as part of its shake-up of the licensing laws.
In a statement released today, it said: "It is too easy to point the finger of blame at retailers alone, and that legislators, local authorities and police have to face up to weaknesses and inconsistencies in their approach to the problem."
It added that these inconsistencies mean "retailers are unable to formulate and implement national, company-wide policies to tackle underage sales, and train sales staff more effectively to meet higher expectations."
It added that more convictions of people trying to buy alcohol when underage would discourage underage sales.
To coincide with Alcohol Awareness Week the company, which has carried out 65,000 test purchases wit 18 and 19-year-olds in the last three years, has called on government to introduce a range of measures.
This includes:
• A code of practice to bring consistency to the approach of police and local authorities across the country
• Tighter control over sting operations to ensure evidence is carefully recorded
• More focus on proxy sales - making it clear adults will be prosecuted for buying alcohol for the underage
• A commitment to charge youngsters who buy alcohol
The company added words of praise for retailers by saying test purchasers now expect to be asked for ID.
"These days being asked to provide ID, whether it is to buy alcohol or a cinema ticket, is a normal everyday occurrence. For retailers - it is part and parcel of providing good customer service."
Figures from Serve Legal show that in 2010 the on-trade pass rate for ID checks is 77 per cent - up from 54 per cent in 2008. The pass rate in the off trade is 76 per cent - up 10 percentage points from two years ago.
