Off-licenses fail test purchases (From The Northern Echo)

Off-licenses fail test purchases

2:57pm Friday 27th November 2009

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FIVE off-licenses have failed test purchase operations.

The premises, all in the Derwentside area, were among eight tested in an undercover operation on the evening of Thursday, November 19.

Police sent teenagers aged 15 and 16, with the permission of the youngsters’ parents, into the stores to test if they would be allowed to buy alcohol.

The children were sold white wine, red wine and lager.

All premises were operating a Challenge 21 policy, to ask anyone who looked under 21 to produce ID before being allowed to buy alcohol.

The five were issued with £80 fixed penalty notices.

The operation followed similar moves in Durham City earlier this month, when all four off-licenses tested failed and were issued with £80 fixed penalty notices.

Durham Neighbourhood Inspector Paul Anderson said: "These premises will be monitored and will be reviewed. If necessary, we will look at licensing conditions.

"We’re determined to tackle disorder and this is a way to tackle the problem at source. We’re determined to stamp this out throughout the district.

"We’re trying to tackle the causes of anti-social behaviour and we will continue to do these undercover operations."

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