Underage drinking
Under 18s who buy alcohol will face a £50 on-the-spot fine under new police powers, the Home Office has announced, bolstering the alcohol industry's 'No ID No Sale' policy.
Two new penalty notices for disorder (PND) being introduced on Monday 4 April will help police tackle the sale of alcohol to people who are under 18 or drunk. They extend the range of existing tools available to the police in the drive to crack down on underage drinking and the problems of alcohol-related disorder. Selling alcohol to a drunken person will now attract an £80 fine.
The new fines are part of an ongoing government campaign to tackle the type of drink-related violence that can turn some city centres into 'no go' areas.
Government Response: Home Office
Hazel Blears, Home Office minister, said: "These two new penalty notices will help local police tackle underage drinking and irresponsible selling which we know cause problems with alcohol-fuelled disorder.
"It is good to see the industry playing their part in tackling underage drinking and I strongly support the 'No ID No Sale' and 'Challenge 21' policies. These clear and simple messages should be adopted by all retailers of alcohol.
"Today proves there is a lot of good practice being demonstrated across the trade but there are still too many premises illegally selling alcohol to under 18s.
"We want to see a culture change where a young person attempting to buy alcohol accepts that being asked for ID is the norm. This culture change is possible if retailers across the country adopt a consistent 'No ID No Sale' message."
Stakeholder Response: British Retail Consortium
A spokesman for the BRC said: "The BRC welcome the introduction of £50 on the spot fines for under 18s attempting to buy alcohol. Retailers always take their responsibilities on preventing underage sales very seriously, but part of this responsibility needs to lie with the purchaser if a 'cultural change' is to come about.
"Retailers have always backed the principle of 'No ID, No Sale' as the message is very clear to both the retailer and the customer. However, ID cards need to be produced and accepted with confidence, which is why the BRC with support from the Home Office and other relevant trade associations created PASS (Proof of Age Standards Scheme). Retailers should instantly know that any ID card carrying the PASS hologram is genuine.
"The enforcement of 'No ID, No Sale', coupled with PASS is key to tackling underage drinking and its anti-social side effects. Over 1 million people currently hold PASS cards, but the BRC need more support from the government to communicate the benefits of PASS to retailers, publicans, cinematographers, young people and the police."
Stakeholder Response: British National Temperance League
Barbara Briggs, CEO of BNTL, said: "Once again the government’s clampdown on underage drinking is linked to criminal and justice legislation, and whilst we at BNTL welcome the strengthening of police powers to enforce the sale of alcohol to underage drinkers. We do feel it only touches the tip of the problem. We highly commend the stand taken by the Co-Operative Group and the Association of Convenience Stares but where are the brewers? Where are Mitchell and
"Once again they drag their heels and do not offer to curb the drink promotions or ‘special offers’. They only point to the Portman Groups site ‘drinkaware,’ which does offer information about risks and effects of alcohol, and contains some very sound advice. However, these types of sites do not curb ‘binge drinkers,’ for often they only attract those who may already be aware and worried about their drinking habits not the new drinkers or habitual binge drinkers.
"BNTL feel strongly that binge drinking can only be addressed by all concerned working together. This involves the education system, the health system, social services, parents, communities and the police educating our society, and thereby changing the attitude and culture it has towards alcohol."
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