Brighton licensees' group offers help after underage selling sting

It follows a sting operation performed by Sussex Police on six late-night venues in Brighton and Hove on a recent Saturday night.

The intelligence-led undercover test-purchasing operation was launched on the back of public concerns over a number of incidents involving underage drinkers, including investigations into assaults of underage girls in at least two clubs.

In the sting, teenage police cadets successfully purchased alcohol in four out of the six venues. The licensing team also received reports of a drunk 15-year-old buying a bottle of whisky for £60 in a late night café above a restaurant.

Partnership​

Nick Griffin, spokesman for the BHLA, said:  “As the licensing association it would be useful to know [which venues] failed so we can contact them to offer our assistance to see if there’s anything we can do to ensure they operate within a legal framework.

“We share the best interests of the customers and we would like to think that we work in partnership with the police and local authority and that our members adhere to the law.”

Jean Irving, Sussex Police’s force licensing and public safety manager said: “This is not about catching venues out, it’s about keeping children safe and if this operation keeps even one more child safe from harm then we have done our work.”