Cracking down on underage alcohol sales

Young volunteers have helped Rochdale Borough Council to catch three off licences illegally selling alcohol to underage people.

The undercover project, run by the council’s Public Protection Service, targeted 21 stores across the borough. A number of the shops had been the subject of allegations over underage sales, some had been caught out in the past while other premises were selected at random.

The three stores that sold alcohol to the young volunteers were in Rochdale, Heywood and Pennines.

The project aimed to check that the outlets were complying with the Licensing Act 2003 which makes it a criminal offence to sell alcohol to anyone under 18. Strict rules were observed to protect the young volunteers while also being fair to traders. While making the test purchases, for example, the volunteers always told the truth about their age if asked.

The three stores found to be selling alcohol to underage customers will now be investigated by the council before a decision is made on what course of action is most appropriate.

Martin Burke, Cabinet Member for Internal and Environmental Services, said: “These kind of operations are a major part of our commitment to protecting the welfare of young people in the borough. We also owe it to the vast majority of legitimate traders who comply with the law to make an example of the small number who break it.”