Test purchase operation conducted in Cheltenham

Officers from the Constabulary’s Licensing Team took part in a test purchase operation in Cheltenham where a teenager attempted to buy alcohol from shops.

The operation was conducted alongside the Special Constabulary and Cheltenham Borough Council’s Licensing Team on Saturday 26 July.

It involved a teenager from the Police Cadets who attempted to buy alcohol to gauge whether local businesses are being responsible and abiding by licensing laws.

This saw police visit 11 shops. Eight of the shops checked the teen’s ID and refused to serve alcohol however three shops failed and served the teen.

The teen entered the venues that were being tested accompanied by officers in plain clothes, who observed their attempt to buy alcohol.

The test purchaser is always careful not to lie about their age and does not produce any ID if asked.

Completing the test purchases allowed officers to ensure that licensed premises are meeting their objective under the Licensing Act to ‘prevent children coming to harm’ and enforce any breaches through education, letters or warnings, tickets or taking the premise to review in certain circumstances.

PC Wintle from the Licensing Team said: “We regularly carry out joint operations with our partner agencies to ensure licensed premises are operating responsibly.

"On this occasion, three shops failed to uphold their legal obligations, and we will be following up with those businesses and conducting further checks in due course."

The penalties for failing a test purchase can include a fine of up to £5,000, prosecution and withdrawal of the premises' licence to sell alcohol.