More than half of shops and pubs tested in Portsmouth sold alcohol to children, say police

More than half of licenced venues in Portsmouth passed the ID check test carried out by police.

On Sunday January, 26, Hampshire police carried out juvenile test purchases on 17 premises in the city – with nine failing the test.

Staff who made the sales were issued community resolutions, requiring them to obtain further training around checking customers can old enough to buy alcohol.

A 15-year-old volunteer attempted to buy alcohol at each of the venues, with eight of them passing by requesting ID and refusing the sale.

A 15-year-old volunteer attempted to buy alcoholic drinks in 17 venues across the city.

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PC Peter Rackham, of the Licensing and Alcohol Harm Reduction Team, said ‘some’ of the failed premises will face a change to their licence.

He said: ‘Officers will be seeking to work in partnership with premises who have failed, to put them in a position where staff will apply the challenge 25 policies.

‘For some premises, this will mean changes to the licence.

‘Should premises fail a further time in three months then we will consider their powers under the Licensing Act 2003 regarding the persistent sale of alcohol to children.

‘This potentially will allow us to stop a venue from selling alcohol for a period of time and review the premises’ licence.

‘We encourage all businesses to utilise and train their staff in Challenge 25 to empower them in making the right decisions, and preventing alcohol falling into the hands of children’.