Issued By
West Yorkshire Trading
Standards Service
CRACKDOWN ON BOOZE SELLERS
West
Yorkshire Trading Standards Service is
concerned that in a recent joint operation with West Yorkshire Police 70% of the
off licences visited (all following
complaints) in the Pontefract and Fiztwilliam areas sold alcohol to a 14 year
old girl.
Councillor
Graham Clark, Chair of the West Yorkshire Trading Standards Committee said, “I
am very disappointed that so many shops are flouting the law. Underage consumption of alcohol can cause serious
health problems. In addition the
public are rightly upset by the violence, vandalism and other nuisance that
comes with alcohol abuse”.
Martin
Wood, West Yorkshire’s Chief Trading Standards Officer said “West Yorkshire
Trading Standards Service and West
Yorkshire Police will continue to work together to stop underage sales of
alcohol. I would warn that both
retailers and individual membes of staff who sell to someone under 18 can face
prosecution and a fine up to £1000.
There are also situations where adults buy alcohol on behalf of under
18’s and I would advise that where a shopkeeper suspects that this is
happening they should refuse to sell”.
Members
of the public who have information about illegal sales of age restricted
products can contact the West Yorkshire Consumer Helpline on 0113
3848 848
For further information contact:
Paul Cooper, Divisional Manager
0113 289 8240