main content Pubs caught selling alcohol to minors

Pubs in Bromley’s town centre face legal action for selling alcohol to minors. The Trading Standards ‘test purchase’ operation was a joint initiative with the Police to crack down on the illegal sale of alcohol to persons under the age of 18. The operation revealed that 9 out of 10 Bromley High Street pubs failed to even ask for identification when approached by minors.

“We will not tolerate under age sales of alcohol. Not only do they pose serious threats to the health of our young people but promote anti-social behaviour in our town centres. Licensees and sellers should be warned that this is not a one-off hit and we will not hold back in taking further action” said Councillor Neil Reddin, Portfolio Holder for Community Safety and Leisure.

Two under age volunteers, accompanied by Trading Standards Officers entered the pubs and attempted to purchase alcohol. Only one pub out of the 10 selected requested identification and subsequently refused to serve the volunteers alcohol - the Swan and Mitre.

The volunteers, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were aged 15 and 16. Trading Standards Officers are now in the process of interviewing all licensees and sellers from the premises concerned and considering appropriate legal action.

The supply of alcohol to persons under 18 years of age is illegal under the Licensing Act of 1964. The law requires safeguards to be in place to reduce the risk of alcohol consumption to minors. Evidence of these precautions include the written documentation of ‘refusals’ to sell alcohol detailing dates, times and a description of the individual/s involved.

ENDS

For media enquiries, please contact Amy Bevins, Strategy Development Officer on 020 8313 4989, or Rob Vale, Trading Standards Team Leader on 020 8313 4785 or email amy.bevins@bromley.gov.uk.