Two-Thirds Of Brighton Shops Tested Sell Booze Without Checking Buyers' Ages

Monday, 23 August 2021 13:30

By John Warburton @Warblefly

Beer, in a shop fridge (Photo: © John Warburton)

Off-licences in Brighton and Hove have been reminded of the risks posed by serving underage drinkers, after several local shops failed checks on how staff comply with licences.

Officers from Brighton and Hove's Police licencing team said they targeted off-licences on August 11, to check compliance with licencing agreements.

As part of "Operation Tepee", volunteers posing as customers aged under 18 approached staff in six stores, trying to buy alcohol.

Four of the stores failed the test by agreeing to serve the apparently young people, without conducting the correct checks on their ages.

Police said today, August 23, that members of their licencing team have now engaged with the store owners to investigate how the breaches occurred — and to review the terms of their licences.

The team pledged to educate store owners on how to comply with their licence conditions and ensure alcohol is sold only to people proven to be over 18.

Conditions state that shop workers are obliged to request proof of age if somebody trying to buy alcohol appears to be under 25..

Officers stated that undercover checks like these are aimed at reducing harm and anti-social behaviour, particularly among young people.

Stores found to be in breach of their licences risk losing their permission to sell alcohol.

Chief Inspector Andrew Westwood said:

"The sale of alcohol to young people under the age of 18 is not only a serious risk to public health but also fuels anti-social behaviour in the city.

"Alcohol vendors have a responsibility to ensure their customers are over the legal age limit and should ask to see some identification if there is any doubt.

"The Challenge 25 policy is simple - if a customer trying to buy alcohol looks under 25, confirm their age.

"Through Operation Tepee we will continue to conduct checks on off-licences, engage with any found to be in breach of their licence conditions and take enforcement action where required."