Businesses caught selling drink to youngsters

Special Constables in plain clothes recruited two young volunteers, a 14-year-old girl and a 15-year-old boy, to visit almost 20 bars, pubs, clubs and shops across the local area on Monday afternoon.

The operation was part of a drive to tackle under-age drinkers ahead of the school half-term break.

The aim was to test whether the youngsters would be able to purchase alcohol within the premises, or whether staff would refuse to serve them.

A total of 15 premises passed the test by refusing to serve them with alcohol, but four premises failed.

These included a Leeds city centre bar and three off-licensed premises in Drighlington, Tingley and Beeston. On each occasion both the boy and the girl were served with alcohol, with the staff member responsible receiving an £80 Fixed Penalty Notice for their trouble.

Three of the four premises which failed have also been caught serving alcohol to under-age drinkers as recently as four months ago, and officers from the Leeds District Licensing Department will now look to speak with management at each of the premises to ensure they do not fail again.

If any of the four are found serving alcohol to those underage again within the next three months, they could be prosecuted for persistently selling alcohol to a person under 18.

It could also lead to the licence of the premises being reviewed.

Sgt Rob Fullilove who heads the Leeds District Licensing Department, said: “We’re committed to working with licensees to ensure alcohol doesn’t get into the hands of youngsters, because it is often a key factor in anti-social behaviour and crime affecting them.

“We will be in touch with the licensed premises which failed the test to address any issues so they don’t fail again.

“However, it is encouraging to note the many premises which passed the test.”