Thornbury Off-licence fails under age sales spot check

A third of off-licences checked in a joint neighbourhood police and South Gloucestershire Trading Standards operation were prepared to sell alcohol to children.

Two clearly under age volunteers helped in the operation on Friday August 13 2010, visiting 11 off-licences and convenience stores in the Thornbury and Filton areas.

The 15-year-old girls were able to buy lager in one Thornbury store and in three shops in Filton.

On two occasions they were sold alcohol despite being asked to show identification and producing citizen cards with their true age clearly showing.

The workers who made the sale were issued with an on-the-spot £80 fine. Steps will now be taken to ensure that the sales that did take place will not be repeated, while those who refused to sell will be sent a letter of appreciation.

Neighbourhood Sergeant Clive Johnson said: "I am pleased to see the majority of licensees taking their responsibilities seriously and refusing to sell alcohol to children. We run these operations regularly because we know under age drinking can be behind anti-social behaviour, which we have been working hard to tackle."

Thornbury Neighbourhood PC Neil Whyman said: "It's disappointing that a Thornbury store was prepared to sell alcohol to under age drinkers, especially in view of the anti-social behaviour we have seen at the Mundy playing fields. This kind of operation will continue as part of our long-term plans to keep these problems in check."

Mark Pullin, South Gloucestershire Council's trading standards and licensing manager, said: "Operations like these are vital to safeguarding our local communities and while we share the disappointment that some retailers did not comply on this occasion, equally the retailers who did uphold the law should be praised for their efforts for refusing to sell alcohol to children."