Five Premises In Caithness Fail Alcohol Test Puuchasing

1st February 2011

Police Operation Reveals Five Breaches Of Licensing Laws

POLICE are disappointed at the failure of five premises to comply with licensing laws during a test purchase operation in the North.

Following the commencement of Northern Constabulary's Test Purchasing operation, which involved youths entering licensed premises under controlled conditions to purchase alcohol, 18 off-sales premises were tested in Wick and Thurso on Saturday the 29th of January 2011.

Subsequently, a total of 5 premises failed to comply with the provisions of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005, by selling alcohol to 16 year old teenagers without making any enquiries as to the age of the youth.

Wick based Detective Sergeant Craig Thomson who is leading the Operation, said: "This is a very disappointing result, right at the start of this operation which has been well publicised. Licensees have a responsibility here and we will take robust action against those retailers and assistants who continue to break the law. It is an offence to sell alcohol to anyone under 18 and it is not just the licence holder who is legally liable, but also all the staff working in any licensed premises.

"Whilst a number of premises tested fully complied with the Code Of Practice for Off Sales Premises, five premises failed to comply. This clearly highlights the fact that more still needs to be done by licence holders in promoting the 'Can't Tell, Don't Sell' message to staff. There is no excuse for selling alcohol to 16 year old youths and these premises will continue to be tested."

North Division's robust stance on under age drinking was further highlighted by the confiscation of large quantities of alcohol from a number of groups of youths in Thurso town centre throughout Friday night.

Divisional; Commander, Superintendent Julian Innes said: "Test purchasing is just one of a range of valuable methods being used to tackle underage drinking and alcohol related crime. This initiative is intended to help to reduce the availability of alcohol to children and also reduce the incidents of anti-social behaviour in this area. Underage drinking is serious issue with long-term consequences. It is not just a policing matter however, communities, families and suppliers are key to changing attitudes to more responsible drinking in the long term.
"The fact that many premises, which have been tested to date, have passed the test, shows that the majority of licensees are doing things right and that there is a level of awareness of the issues around the supply of alcohol to underage drinkers. However, despite being warned, a worryingly high number in Caithness are selling to minors and they will continue to be targeted."

The Police-led initiative is being supported by The Highland Council, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, Licence Trade Association and Crimestoppers.

Councillor Bill Fernie said: "I fully support Northern Constabulary's initiative in robustly tackling the problem of alcohol sales to underage youths and I am very disappointed to see the results of the first test purchase operation. Underage drinking has serious consequences, sometimes causing long term health problems and more often than not leading to anti social behaviour and other problems. Young people need to be protected from becoming involved in underage drinking for their own and the community's sake."

Anyone who has information relating to the sale of alcohol to minors is urged to contact Police on 01463 715555 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.