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Trading standards officers have been awarded £350,000 in Home
Office funding to clamp-down on rogue retailers as part of the £2.5
million blitz on alcohol fuelled disorder. Trading standards
services across the East of England have been awarded £20,000.
There are tough penalties for those caught selling alcohol to
children. These include: £80 fixed penalty notices; £1,000 fine,
increasing to £5,000 from 24 November, for licensees on conviction;
and licences could be suspended, altered or revoked.
Under age young people who attempt to buy alcohol are also
breaking the law and face stiff sanctions, including a £50 fixed
penalty notice and up to £1,000 fine on conviction.
In a stark warning to retailers and licensees, Home Office
Minister Paul Goggins said: “Selling alcohol to under-18s is not
only irresponsible it is a criminal offence. Those caught breaking
the law must take responsibility for their actions and face the
consequences. “Shopkeepers and licensees can expect an undercover
visit from trading standards and police over the festive period.
“Sixty per cent of shops and supermarkets failed in a sting
operation carried out by Nottingham police last week. Ten £80 fixed
penalty notices were handed out to shop staff and shop managers have
been reprimanded by police.
“Forty per cent of supermarkets, shops, pubs and clubs sold booze
to kids during last summer’s 909 sting operations that took place in
twenty-five towns. These failure rates are unacceptable and too
high. My message to retailers and licensees is clear - get your
house in order and stop selling alcohol to kids under 18.”
Peter Gell, head of Trading Standards at Peterborough City
Council, added: “Combating the illegal sale of alcohol to young
people is one of the top priorities for trading standards services
in the East of England.
“The extra funding from the Home Office will allow many more test
purchases to be made using our under age volunteers. Retailers who
flout the law can expect to be dealt with severely. Trading
standards officers will be helping retailers get this right but
there is no excuse for selling to under-age youngsters. Retailers
must ensure that they always ask to see a proof-of-age card.”
November 2005
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