Underaged alcohol sales drop by two thirds

10:00am Tuesday 19th August 2008

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The sale of alcohol to minors has plummeted in Barnet over the past year, according to undercover operations carried out by the police and Barnet Council.

In controlled operations throughout 2007, 25 out of 93 attempts by minors to buy alcohol proved successful.

But following a crackdown by police and the council, this has been reduced to eight out of 70, just 11 per cent, in 2008.

Borough Commander Steven Kavanagh said: "An important element of tackling anti-social behaviour and disorder amongst youths involves reducing the availability of alcohol which acts as a catalyst in a number of the cases we see across the borough.

"These targeted operations have shown that the message is getting across to traders and I’m delighted that they are working with local police and the council to play their part in making the borough safer for all."

In the most recent operation, conducted at 14 off licences and stores across the borough on August 5, only one vendor agreed to sell alcohol to an underaged buyer.

The off licence, Euro Food and Wine in West Hendon Broadway, was issued with an £80 fixed penalty notice. Last year, the 25 premises found to be illegally selling alcohol were issued with a mixture of warning letters, penalty notices and police cautions.

The three venues most severely at fault had their licences reviewed and two subsequently had their licences revoked.

Council leader Mike Freer said: "The council undertakes test purchasing operations only where intelligence suggests that alcohol is being sold to minors.

"We all have our part to play in reducing the availability of alcohol to minors and this operation shows that traders are taking their responsibilities seriously."