Don't lose your licence

11 May 2007

"Don't lose your licence" - that's the message from Bedfordshire County Council’s Trading Standards Service and Bedfordshire Police to all off-licences and pubs in the County.

This message goes out ahead of joint test-purchase operations as part of a national campaign to tackle the problem of young people under the age of eighteen buying alcohol.

Operation TUSAC (Tackling Underage Sales of Alcohol Campaign) is funded by the Home Office and will take place over May, June and July. The campaign will see officers visiting premises in all areas of Bedfordshire.

Businesses which sell to the young volunteers will face prosecution and a review of their alcohol licence. The prosecution could result in a fine of up to £10,000 for persistently selling alcohol. The review may also result in the business losing the right to sell alcohol.

Carl Davies, Head of Bedfordshire County Council's Trading Standards Service, said: "All businesses with an alcohol licence need to check the age of anyone that maybe under eighteen. Our advice is if someone looks under 21 and cannot produce any valid ID then refuse to sell. Acceptable forms of identification are a passport, driving licence or a PASS card."

Bob King, Cabinet Member for Community Services, said: "This action is a measure of the concern we attach to the sale of alcohol to minors and is in recognition of the problem of under-age drinking and the anti-social behaviour associated with it."

Businesses that sell alcohol and would like advice and support from the County Council’s Trading Standards Service can email business@bedfordshire.gov.uk| or telephone on 01234 228897.

ENDS