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Shops and pubs are caught in clampdown on booze sales to kids
Almost a third of premises targeted by police in an undercover booze operation sold alcohol to children.
Police used youngsters in test purchases at 25 licensed premises in Portsmouth during a two-day period.
Pubs, clubs, off-licenses and supermarkets across the city were checked as part of the pre-Christmas crackdown. But eight of those tested failed.
Premises caught out in the sting, carried out as part of Operation Drink Safe which aims to cut alcohol-related violence in Portsmouth, included Cafe Citrus and The Bold Forester in Albert Road, Southsea.
And the Fuzzy Duck in Guildhall Walk, the Tesco superstore at Northarbour and Tesco Metro in Cosham High Street failed the checks as well.
Drift in the City in Isambard Brunel Road, Bar 38 at Gunwharf Quays and The Trafalgar Lloyds No 1 bar in Guildhall Walk were also caught out.
Officers must now decide what to do next. Penalties range from an 80 fixed penalty notice or extra training for staff, to a maximum three-month ban from selling alcohol, and a 20,000 fine for premises caught selling booze to children three times in a three-month period.
However none of the premises checked last Friday and Saturday has failed a test purchase check in the last three months and so is unlikely to face the harshest penalty.
PC Andy Montague, from Portsmouth's violent crime reduction and licensing team, said: 'Test purchase operations were carried out on a mixture of shops, stores and bars.
'Checks have been carried out all year but they are being stepped up in the run-up to Christmas as part of Operation Drink Safe.
'With on-licensed premises such as bars and clubs the person who serves the drink to someone who is under age will get a fixed penalty notice of 80.
'With the off-licenses we are working with trading standards at Portsmouth City Council to offer advice and further training to address the issues.
'If any premises fails a test purchase three times in a three-month period we can review their license.
'It could be suspended and they could be fined up to 20,000.'
'Outlets with licences have a duty to sell alcohol responsibly. They have to be on their guard all the time.
'The police will continue operations and, if any premises sells alcohol to a person who is under age, action will be taken.'
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Wednesday 08 February 2012
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