The South Glos Post

Teenage volunteers helped police and Trading Standards officers check whether licensees were prepared to sell alcohol to children.

The operation on Friday April 16 2010 checked a dozen off-licences and convenience stores in Hanham, Kingswood, Oldland Common, Soundwell, Staple Hill, Warmley and Willsbridge.

The two clearly underage volunteers – one male, one female – were only able to buy alcohol in one Hanham store. The shop worker made the sale even after seeing the identity card of one volunteer which showed he was under 18.

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

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Source: Avon and Somerset Police

Police are appealing for witnesses after some friends were assaulted on a playing field.

The incident happened at around 8.20pm on Friday 9 April, 2010. Eight friends in their late teens and early twenties were at Redfield Edge Playing Fields in Oldland Common when they were approached by a group of up to 15 men who were aged 15 or 16-years-old. Approximately five boys became aggressive towards the group of friends. At least three were assaulted, being punched and receiving injuries.

An investigation has begun and enquiries are ongoing to identify the people responsible.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Avon and Somerset Police on 0845 456 7000.

Source: Avon and Somerset Police

Police in South Gloucestershire are warning householders to be on the alert after recovering two cars stolen during burglaries.

Two homes in Oldland Common and Longwell Green were burgled this week, and on each occasion the thieves used the householder’s own car to make off having found the keys.

Overnight Tuesday February 23 to Wednesday February 24 thieves broke into a house in Oldland Common and took a Nissan Micra plus a mobile phone, camera, keys and cash.

In the early hours of Wednesday a home in Longwell Green was broken into and the owner’s Renault Scenic used to remove electrical items including a television and a DVD player, plus a handbag and contents including cash and bank cards.

Both vehicles were recovered by police yesterday, Wednesday February 24 2010. The Micra was reported to police as blocking a driveway in Longwell Green. The Scenic, still containing some of the stolen property, was found by officers in Barrs Court. The handbag was found by a member of the public dumped in a nearby footpath.

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Source: Avon and Somerset Police

Teenage volunteers have helped police and South Gloucestershire Council Trading Standards officers check whether stores will sell alcohol to under-18s.

The operation, on Friday January 29 2010, focused on off-licences and convenience stores in Cadbury Heath, Kingswood, Oldland Common, Warmley and Willsbridge.

Nine premises were checked by the volunteers aged 14 and 16.

In three of them, the youngsters were able to buy alcohol – despite showing an identity card with their true age on it.

Neighbourhood Sergeant Rachael Hodges said: “There is a clear link between under-age drinking and anti-social behaviour, and it’s disappointing that we had sales in Kingswood, Oldland Common and Warmley, where we have been working hard to tackle these problems.

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Source: Avon and Somerset Police