Efforts to prevent underage alcohol sales in Crewe

 

Local retailers are getting the message, says Cheshire East Councillor Rachel Bailey, after another successful operation by Cheshire Council’s Consumer Protection and Investigations Team.

Officers from the team joined forces with Cheshire police in an operation on Friday, October 15, in an operation to tackle underage alcohol sales in Crewe.

They visited eight off-licences in the town centre using 14-year-old volunteers. Just two of those tested sold alcohol to a teenager.

The Cabinet member for safer and stronger communities, added: “These operations are not about punishing retailers: they are about informing and educating those who run and work in licensed premises, as well as protecting the consumer.

“The information obtained for this operation was from members of the public and their contribution was invaluable. Any information we get from the public is taken very seriously and I would urge those with concerns to contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.”

This latest operation was part of Alcohol Awareness Week (October 18 – 24). This year’s campaign by Alcohol Concern is now underway and focuses on the impact that alcohol has on children.

Officers from Consumer Protection and Investigations are helping to boost awareness by way of an ‘Underage sales, retailer training’ day. Those interested in attending a training course can find out more by contacting Hannah Wong on 01270 686695 or by email at hannah.wong@cheshireeast.co.uk

The half-day programme has been designed to educate the owners of licensed premises and their staff on all aspects of age-restricted products. This programme will include:

• Advice on how best to use age verification policies such as ‘Challenge 25’;
• How to identify acceptable ID and recognise fakes; and 
• Conflict resolution training.

Cheshire East Councillor Andrew Knowles, Cabinet member with responsibility for health and wellbeing, added: “I am hopeful these operations will go a long way to reducing the amount of alcohol sold to underage teens in Cheshire East.” Ends.