Test purchase of alcohol carried out in North Herts

Police and Trading Standards conducted two days of alcohol test purchases to under-18s at shops across North Herts in November.

Officers from the Community Safety Unit teamed up with Trading Standards and students from the North Herts College Uniformed Protective Services course to test shops in Royston, Baldock, Letchworth and Hitchin.

Of the 19 premises visited on Thursday 23 and Thursday 30 November, 11 successfully requested identification and refused the sale. 

However, despite being under the age of 18, the students were able to buy alcohol on eight occasions.

Sergeant Chris Adshead, from the North Herts Community Safety Unit, said: "These test purchases are carried out routinely by police and Trading Standards as part of the drive to safeguard the vulnerable (including young people), tackle anti-social behaviour and promote the Licensing Act objective of protection of children from harm.

"These latest results are an obvious concern and we will be looking to work with the premises, local licensing authority and Trading Standards to improve these figures and Trading Standards will take any enforcement action necessary.

"Following the test purchases, we spoke with shop staff about the success or failure to challenge a customer's age.

"We would like to thank the students from the North Herts College Protective and Uniformed Services course who took part in the operation."

If you have concerns about shops selling age-restricted products to minors, this can be reported online at www.herts.police.uk/report, by speaking to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online web chat at www.herts.police.uk/contact or by calling the non-emergency number 101.

Alternatively, you can stay 100% anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org