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Shops sold alcohol to 15-year-old
Three shopkeepers have been caught selling alcohol to a 15-year-old volunteer during the latest test purchasing exercise by Hertfordshire Trading Standards.
Three out of four shops tested in Watford sold alcohol to the underage customer. Two premises in Hemel Hempstead and one in Rickmansworth were also tested but they were refused sale.
County councillor Richard Smith, Executive Member for Community Safety, said: "We are not prepared to tolerate underage sales of alcohol and are actively pursuing shopkeepers who illegally sell age-restricted goods.
"While it is pleasing to find that the majority of shopkeepers are adopting a Challenge 21 policy, it is unfortunate to see the message still has not got home to some."
Trading Standards asks that all licensed premises adopt the Challenge 21 policy, where customers who appear to be under the age of 21 are asked for proof of age.
Acceptable forms of identification are PASS-approved ID cards, photo driving licences or passports.
Sergeant Ian Smith, of Watford Community Safety Unit, said: "We are disappointed that three out of four premises in Watford failed during this test-purchasing exercise, our worst failure rate in some time.
"We hope that this latest exercise will force a minority of shopkeepers to shake their ideas up and act as a deterent to others who might sell alcohol to underage customers."
Hertfordshire Trading Standards is investigating the circumstances of each of the offences and will consider punishments ranging from fixed penalty fines of £80 to licence reviews where appropriate.
Richard Smith added: "We hope that offending shopkeepers will think more carefully before they sell young people alcohol or cigarettes, because they could have their licences reviewed and possibly revoked."
Members of the public can report shops which are selling alcohol or cigarettes to underage customers to Consumer Direct on 08454 040506.
9:14am Monday 12th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: Igloo, Watford on 9:27am Mon 12 May 08
Take their licences away! It should be one strike and you're out. We have far too many off-licences in Watford. When I was 17 there were none in Queens Road and even J Sainbury didn't sell booze - now there are 5 or is it 6?
Although teenagers still gather in the space in front of St John's Church as they did then, now they've all got tins of White Lightning and such like.
This is an ideal opportunity to weed out irresponsible shopkeepers. Take their Licence to off-sell alcohol away now!!
Take their licences away! It should be one strike and you're out. We have far too many off-licences in Watford. When I was 17 there were none in Queens Road and even J Sainbury didn't sell booze - now there are 5 or is it 6?
Although teenagers still gather in the space in front of St John's Church as they did then, now they've all got tins of White Lightning and such like.
This is an ideal opportunity to weed out irresponsible shopkeepers. Take their Licence to off-sell alcohol away now!!
Posted by: Winston, watford on 9:37am Mon 12 May 08
Totally agree with Igloo take their licences away and impose the maximum fine!
Totally agree with Igloo take their licences away and impose the maximum fine!
Posted by: WD18Firm, Watford on 9:40am Mon 12 May 08
Is there a legal reason why the shops aren't named?
Is there a legal reason why the shops aren't named?
Posted by: JohnBoy, Watford on 1:16pm Mon 12 May 08
Personally I believe that the age to drink in pubs should remain at 18 but off sales should be limited to 21 years and older. There is less likelihood of a 21 year old buying on behalf of a young teenager. If the 18-21 year olds wanted to have a drink they could still use a pub.
Personally I believe that the age to drink in pubs should remain at 18 but off sales should be limited to 21 years and older. There is less likelihood of a 21 year old buying on behalf of a young teenager. If the 18-21 year olds wanted to have a drink they could still use a pub.
Posted by: Igloo, Watford on 3:17pm Mon 12 May 08
What do they mean "Trading Standards are considering the circumstances"? Clearly they set a honey trap for these shopkeepers and they walk right into it. How many other yougsters have they sold to and got away with it?
In the 2003 Licencing this Government gave ALL local Authorities the legal power to close people like this down.
Members of the Watford Borough (2003 Licencing Act)Licencing Committee are:
Member Details Name Position
Cllr K Crout (Lib-Dem) Chair
Cllr J Brown (Lib-Dem) Vice-Chair
Cllr J Baddeley (Lib-Dem) Member
Cllr K Brodhurst (Green) Member
Cllr G Derbyshire (Lib-Dem) Member
Cllr J Dhindsa (Lab) Member
Cllr K Hastrick (Lib-Dem) Member
Cllr S Khan (Lib-Dem) Member
Cllr B Laventure (Lib-Dem) Member
Cllr C Leslie (Lib-Dem) Member
Cllr A Mortimer (Con) Member
Cllr H O'Hanlon (Lib-Dem) Member
Cllr A Razzaq (Lib-Dem) Member
Cllr D Scudder (Lib-Dem) Member
Cllr M Watkin (Lib-Dem) Member
Each and everyone of these people has an email address the usual format is Surname.Firstname@wa
tford.gov.uk - look them up on www.watford.gov.uk
It's not up to Trading Standards it's up to us. It is just not good enough that Watford Council has issued licenses to these businesses and then washed their hands of the outcome. We managed to get Reids Bar in Estcourt Rd closed - we can have these people's liquor licences revoked - the Government gave us all the power to make this happen - how about some people power for a change? Email these do nothing so-and-so's today and demand action!! Incidentally JohnBoy you are either in favour of under 18's buying alcohol or not - your solution is wishy washy sit on the fence stuff. We have the power to demand that these businesses can no longer sell booze to anyone. If we send the message loud and clear that if you get caught selling booze to kids - that's it - you can't sell booze to anyone - you watch them all tighten up very quickly!!
What do they mean "Trading Standards are considering the circumstances"? Clearly they set a honey trap for these shopkeepers and they walk right into it. How many other yougsters have they sold to and got away with it?
In the 2003 Licencing this Government gave ALL local Authorities the legal power to close people like this down.
Members of the Watford Borough (2003 Licencing Act)Licencing Committee are:
Member Details Name Position
Cllr K Crout (Lib-Dem) Chair
Cllr J Brown (Lib-Dem) Vice-Chair
Cllr J Baddeley (Lib-Dem) Member
Cllr K Brodhurst (Green) Member
Cllr G Derbyshire (Lib-Dem) Member
Cllr J Dhindsa (Lab) Member
Cllr K Hastrick (Lib-Dem) Member
Cllr S Khan (Lib-Dem) Member
Cllr B Laventure (Lib-Dem) Member
Cllr C Leslie (Lib-Dem) Member
Cllr A Mortimer (Con) Member
Cllr H O'Hanlon (Lib-Dem) Member
Cllr A Razzaq (Lib-Dem) Member
Cllr D Scudder (Lib-Dem) Member
Cllr M Watkin (Lib-Dem) Member
Each and everyone of these people has an email address the usual format is Surname.Firstname@wa
tford.gov.uk - look them up on www.watford.gov.uk
It's not up to Trading Standards it's up to us. It is just not good enough that Watford Council has issued licenses to these businesses and then washed their hands of the outcome. We managed to get Reids Bar in Estcourt Rd closed - we can have these people's liquor licences revoked - the Government gave us all the power to make this happen - how about some people power for a change? Email these do nothing so-and-so's today and demand action!! Incidentally JohnBoy you are either in favour of under 18's buying alcohol or not - your solution is wishy washy sit on the fence stuff. We have the power to demand that these businesses can no longer sell booze to anyone. If we send the message loud and clear that if you get caught selling booze to kids - that's it - you can't sell booze to anyone - you watch them all tighten up very quickly!!
Posted by: JohnBoy, Watford on 4:12pm Mon 12 May 08
Igloo you need to re-read my comments. My proposal was a way to prevent 18 year olds from buying booze for young teenagers. When you are just turned 18 you can empathise with a 15 year old wanting to buy drink. A 21 year is less likely to buy on their behalf.
I realise that this is slightly off topic but I am consistent in agreeing to 18 year olds consuming alcohol but only on licensed premises.
On the point of licensed premises selling to under 18s then yes I am in total agreement with you, one strike and your out.
Igloo you need to re-read my comments. My proposal was a way to prevent 18 year olds from buying booze for young teenagers. When you are just turned 18 you can empathise with a 15 year old wanting to buy drink. A 21 year is less likely to buy on their behalf.
I realise that this is slightly off topic but I am consistent in agreeing to 18 year olds consuming alcohol but only on licensed premises.
On the point of licensed premises selling to under 18s then yes I am in total agreement with you, one strike and your out.
Posted by: JohnBoy, Watford on 4:34pm Mon 12 May 08
well you have the email addresses of the Licensing Committee, why not drop them a line and see if they can be bothered to act
well you have the email addresses of the Licensing Committee, why not drop them a line and see if they can be bothered to act
Posted by: Igloo, Watford on 7:17pm Mon 12 May 08
In view of the removal of the speculative comment regarding the culprits, surely Frazer Ansell will see fit to publish the information that will allow concerned residents to petition for review of their licences, thus protecting legitimate businesses.
In view of the removal of the speculative comment regarding the culprits, surely Frazer Ansell will see fit to publish the information that will allow concerned residents to petition for review of their licences, thus protecting legitimate businesses.
Posted by: The Plinth of Darkneth, Watford on 9:10pm Tue 13 May 08
A similar project to this is permanently ongoing by Camelot, the operator of the national lottery, to ensure that retail outlets that sell their tickets and scratchcards do not sell them to under 16s.
With the knowledge of possible future checks at any time, most shopkeepers are encouraged to challenge those players who may appear to be underage.
Those who are caught breaching this rule, face the possibility of having lottery terminals removed from their premises and thus losing out on ongoing revenue from the lottery ( I believe this is approx. 5% of ticket sales)
At the end of the day it is a simple case of ethics : Children should not be allowed to purchase alcohol full stop, and I think that on the whole, it is rapidly becoming an increasing problem nationally.
A similar project to this is permanently ongoing by Camelot, the operator of the national lottery, to ensure that retail outlets that sell their tickets and scratchcards do not sell them to under 16s.
With the knowledge of possible future checks at any time, most shopkeepers are encouraged to challenge those players who may appear to be underage.
Those who are caught breaching this rule, face the possibility of having lottery terminals removed from their premises and thus losing out on ongoing revenue from the lottery ( I believe this is approx. 5% of ticket sales)
At the end of the day it is a simple case of ethics : Children should not be allowed to purchase alcohol full stop, and I think that on the whole, it is rapidly becoming an increasing problem nationally.
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