For the third time in twelve months Furness off licences have been praised for ensuring alcoholic drinks are not sold to under eighteens.
On 14 December 2005 Cumbria County Council’s Trading Standards Department and Cumbria Police conducted a test purchase exercise sending a young person into 12 off licences in Askam, Barrow, Dalton and Ulverston in an attempt to obtain alcoholic drinks. On each occasion the teenage volunteer was refused his request for alcohol with the majority of sales persons asking for proof of age.
The exercise was part of the Home Office Alcohol Misuse Enforcement Campaign which is running once again during the festive season. The Campaign will see various partner organisations working together to curb binge drinking and anti-social behaviour and has been given a high profile across Cumbria.
Commenting on the results of the test purchase exercise Phil Ashcroft, Head of Trading Standards for Cumbria County Council said:
“I am pleased that Furness off licences appear to be heeding the advice given by Trading Standards and Cumbria Police and asking for identification if they are in any doubt regarding the age of a potential purchaser. This is the third time in twelve months that we have conducted an alcohol test purchase exercise in the Furness area and not had any sales made to our young volunteer”.
Inspector Geoff Steele from Cumbria Constabulary added:
“These results are pleasing. People who appear to be under 21 should expect to be asked for proof of age where alcohol is being sold. We are committed to working with Trading Standards in the long term and will continue to deliver this tactic across South Cumbria. I would thank our partners in the licensing trade for their efforts in improving standards and would especially thank the young people who help us deliver this tactic they are tremendous”.