Bristol pubs fail underage test
Police and Trading Standards officers have said they are disappointed after six premises sold alcohol to underage teenagers during a test purchase operation in Bristol.
Officers and volunteers, aged 16, visited nine premises and attempted to buy alcohol in city centre pubs and nightclubs over recent weekends.
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Sharon Sawyers, Trading Standards lead officer said: "These are very disappointing results which show that there is much more work to be done to ensure that city centre pubs and clubs are observing the law and the terms of their licences by taking adequate steps to ensure that they are not selling alcohol to young people under eighteen."
Councillor Derek Pickup said the city council was determined to ensure that licensed premises do not allow under age drinking and further operations are planned to take place throughout 2009.
He added: "Under age drinking is not acceptable in Bristol and contributes to anti-social behaviour by young people.
"It is essential that licensee's keep within the terms of their license or their licence will be reviewed which could lead to it being revoked."
On one purchasing exersise, the team was accompanied by Councillor Alex Woodman, who sits on the City Council's Licensing Committee.
Councillor Woodman said: "Preventing underage and irresponsible drinking is an important part of making our city centre a safe and enjoyable place to visit.
"I was sad to see so many premises breaking the law by serving to people under eighteen, and not taking simple steps to check the age of their customers."
Sergeant Stephen Bell, of Avon and Somerset police, said: "We are disappointed by the results of the operation and will continue to work in partnership with the council and the licensing trade to ensure that robust measures are in place to prevent under age entry and service at premises within the city centre."
7 Comments
by Fed up with Ruby, USA
Sunday, December 21 2008, 10:46PM
“Your comment does not make sense.”
by GingerRog, Bristol
Sunday, December 21 2008, 5:15PM
“Ruby (aka Justin) ~ If you don't like my comments then don't read them. Nobody is holding a gun to your head and forcing you to read them.”
by Steven, North Bristol
Sunday, December 21 2008, 4:37PM
“The Police and Council should name, shame and prosecute the landlords/owners of the pubs concerned.”
by Ruby, bristol
Sunday, December 21 2008, 7:46AM
“GingerRog should w/e stand back and do nothing
well hug a few trees and state the obvious, like you do. At least this are trying to do something, you should try it one day GingerRog. If you have a better idea phone them, personally i doubt you do”
by GingerRog, Bristol
Saturday, December 20 2008, 9:57PM
“If Police and Trading Standards Officers even for one minute think that this is going on JUST in Bristol City Centre, they are sadly mistaken!
Rather a blinkered outlook and myopic view ... on behalf of both.”
by Ben, Clifton
Saturday, December 20 2008, 1:21AM
“Pickup's quote just doesn't stand up does it - "the city council was determined to ensure that licensed premises do not allow under age drinking". This latest operation has undercovered 2/3 or 60% of the retailers tested breaking the law. Instead of being obsessed with parking permits, congestion charging, and erecting a camera on Whiteladies Road which can't even be used to prosecute speeding motorists (despite what you tell us), get to grips with stop staff who flout the law and sell booze to kids. None of these on the spot fines or talkings to with retailer. Strip them of their licence to sell alcohol. It's the only deterent for other shops. Come on Holland, Pickup and Co, make a success of something before you get booted out of office next May. It WILL happen.”
by Ben, Clifton
Saturday, December 20 2008, 1:13AM
“The quotes from the councillors are a joke. Pickup says the council is "determined to ensure that licensed premises do not allow under age drinking". Um, correct me if I'm wrong, 6 out of 9 shops just did. That's 2/3 or 60% of the stores tested breaking the law. Stop with these silly on the spot fines or the police/trading standards officers speaking to the retailers. Just take their licence away from them. One strike and they're out. Otherwise, there's no deterent to other stores. Unfortunately for Bristol, the council's obsessed with erecting a camera on Whiteladies Road for its stupid congestion charging. Get your priorities right Holland, Pickup and Co. Or we'll simply vote you all out come May 2009.”