Underage reminder to licenses ahead of exam results

LICENSEES across Carmarthenshire are being warned about selling alcohol to under-18s ahead of the A-level and GCSE exam results.

Council licensing officers have been speaking to licensees and visiting a number of licensed premises in the county to remind them of their responsibilities.

In particular, if taking bookings for exam celebrations they need to make sure they have adequate measures in place to prevent the sale to or consumption of alcohol by under-18s.

Tackling underage drinking is a key priority for the Carmarthenshire Community Safety Partnership, which includes the council and the police.

A lot of work is underway to educate staff at licensed premises in relation to fake IDs.

Test purchasing exercises using child volunteers are also carried out throughout the year and have led to a number of successful prosecutions. Carried out by the council’s trading standards section, under-18s are used to buy alcohol to check that licensing laws are being followed.

Head of Public Protection Philip Davies, who is chair of the partnership’s Violent and Alcohol-Related Crime Action Group, said: “The majority of licensees are responsible and manage their premises to a high standard but we will take action against those who don’t run their premises responsibly.

“We are continually educating and advising licensees of their obligations in relation to sales of alcohol and if they suspect that a person is underage our advice is – if in doubt, please do not sell.”

Youngsters using fake IDs to buy or consume alcohol are also being warned that they are committing a criminal offence and could be fined. The Community Safety Partnership is encouraging young people in Carmarthenshire to carry a Validate card.

Executive Board Member for Community Safety Cllr Pam Palmer said: “The Validate card is a vital tool in helping to reduce underage drinking and the associated harm to individuals and society.

“It gives young people a convenient means of proving their age and offers retailers a reliable means of ensuring that they are exercising due diligence at the point of sale.”

For further information or to apply for a Validate card call Carmarthenshire Direct on 01267 234567.