Information on Leicestershire

Police appalled as off-licences in Leicester fail test purchase

Police say they are appalled after nearly half of the off-licences visited during a test purchase operation in Leicester city centre sold alcohol to an underage customer.

Nine out of 19 premises which were visited during the afternoon of Tuesday February 17 sold alcohol to a 15-year-old girl posing as a customer.

PC Jon Webb from the city centre Violence and Disorder Team said: "I am absolutely appalled that nearly half of the off-licences visited sold alcohol to the girl without questioning her age or asking for identification. The fact they made the sale in the middle of the afternoon during the half term school holidays makes it even worse.

"Each of these off-licences received a letter from the police in January reminding them of their responsibilities and warning them that officers would be carrying out checks. I am astounded that despite these repeated warning so many off-licences are willing to break the law and risk their livelihoods by selling alcohol to children."

The tests were carried out as part of Operation Nameplate, a three month city-wide campaign to tackle underage drinking, alcohol-fuelled violence and anti-social behaviour. The campaign has been funded by the Home Office and will run till the end of March 2009.

As part of the campaign officers also conducted extra patrols in the city centre on Tuesday evening due to a planned under-18 event held at Zanzibar nightclub which was attended by just under 2,000 young people. Plain clothed officers stopped under-18s in the street and confiscated any alcohol they were carrying. The young people were also questioned in relation to where they had bought the alcohol.

In total officers confiscated two large and two small bottles of vodka, two bottles of wine and three bottles of lager from young people under the age of 18.

PC Webb added: "We will continue to carry out test purchase operations and will not hesitate to take action against premises which serve alcohol to children. We will also be checking some off-licences as a result of the information given to us by young people who had alcohol confiscated on Tuesday night."

Anyone with information about a premises selling alcohol to under-18s is asked to call Leicestershire Constabulary on 0116 222 2222. Alternatively call Crimestoppers, which is free* and anonymous, on 0800 555 111.

* Please note some mobile phone service providers may charge for this call.

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