Redbridge i

Licensed premises that sell alcohol to under-age youths could find themselves on the end of tougher powers that have just come into force.

Previously the law said that the Council had to wait until premises had three breaches of under-age selling conditions before it could close them down for 48 hours and prosecute.

Now a change in the law, brought in by the Policing and Crime Act 2009, means that shops, pubs and other licensed premises could face these actions after two breaches. This came into force on Friday 29 January.

The Council has worked in partnership with the Police and the Police Cadets for a number of years to carry out test purchasing across the Borough and protect younger residents.

This January the test purchasing team visited eight premises in Redbridge and found two that sold alcohol to a child under 18. The staff that sold the alcohol were issued with £80 fixed penalty notices and the store’s managers and licensees have been called in to discuss their licensing conditions and responsibility to society. They have been advised that further breaches will mean the loss of their licences.

The Council monitors and works with premises that breach these conditions to ensure that future breaches do not occur. They will be revisited by the test-purchasing team to ensure changes have been made.

If successfully prosecuted businesses that breach these conditions can find themselves with a fine of up to £10,000, immediate 48-hour closure and a review that could see their licences revoked.

The Council and Police will continue with this work to help make the Borough a safer place to live.

Knowsie is just miffed because they keep asking for his ID to prove he is over 18!

Well, Weggis, I don't think either you or I stand at any risk of such a challenge!