The South Glos Post

Police and South Gloucestershire Council targeted pubs in an under-age alcohol test-purchase operation for the first time on Friday 10th December 10.

Two 16-year-old girls volunteered to try to buy alcohol at six pubs – two in Emersons Green and the rest in Kingswood, Longwell Green, Pucklechurch and Soundwell.

Neighbourhood Inspector Kevin Thatcher said: “I’m delighted that these clearly under-age girls were unable to buy alcohol at any of the pubs we visited.”

“We regularly work with Trading Standards running this sort of operation to see if off-licences will sell drink to under-18s. This is the first time we’ve run the operation at pubs in South Gloucestershire.”

“I understand that people may have concerns about under-age girls going into a pub environment, but there were plain clothes police officers inside the premises as the girls went in and they were followed in by Trading Standards officers.”

(more…)

Source: Avon and Somerset Police

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.

(more…)

Source: Avon and Somerset Police