Warning to those who buy alcohol for the under 18s
Those who buy alcohol for the underage could find themselves fined, prosecuted and even banned from their local shops and pubs.
Significant work from partner agencies, combined with commitment and effort from the management and staff at licensed premises and shops, has led to a sharp decrease in the number of sales made directly to the underage.
However, agencies are still experiencing problems with those who are over the age of 18 who purchase alcohol and then hand it over to the underage – known as proxy sales.
This has led to continuing complaints and concerns from the community about underage drinking and the associated crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour it can lead to.
The continued situation of young people drinking large amounts of alcohol also generates concerns about their health, wellbeing and personal safety and, as such, remains a priority issue.
As such, agencies, including Rhondda Cynon Taf Council Licensing and Trading Standards officers and South Wales Police continue to work to deal with the issue.
Traders and licensed premises are once again being engaged and urged to display signage and train staff on the issue of proxy sales of alcohol.
Many premises now display signage warning people that buying alcohol on behalf of someone who is under the age of 18 is an offence and those caught making such purchase are warned they will be issued with an £80 Fixed Penalty Notice, or face prosecution.
Some premises have actually gone so far as to say that if they catch someone buying alcohol in their venue, which is then handed over to the underage, that buyer will be banned.
Paul Cannon, Chair of the Rhondda Cynon Taf Community Safety Partnership, said: “We have worked hard to ensure we deal with the issue of underage residents being able to buy alcohol.
“As well as a high profile enforcement campaign against those premises who break the law, we have also worked with, and engaged with, the management and staff at premises to ensure they understand their responsibilities.
“This included a series of free training workshops for them, which gave them the information and skills they needed to uphold the law and prevent sales being made to those who are under the age of 18.
“This has had a dramatic impact on the number of underage sales that are made but, unfortunately, the issue of underage drinking continues and proxy sales are a major contributing factor to this.
“It is completely unacceptable for a person to buy alcohol and then hand it to a minor and we want to make it clear that those caught doing so will face action from us.
“Continuing their support for our work, shops and licensed premises are also taking a stand and warning those who make proxy sales that they could be banned for such offending.”
For more information on joining the fight against proxy sales, contact 01443 425777.
How do you rate this information / service?
Content authorised by: Marketing & Communications Team
Last revised on: 19/7/2010