Licensing test purchases conducted in Cheltenham and Gloucester

Officers from the Licensing Team took part in a test purchase operation earlier this month where a teenager attempted to buy alcohol from shops.

This saw police visit three pubs or bars and three off licenses across Cheltenham and Gloucester. All of the venues passed with the exception of one with staff allowing the teenager to purchase alcohol.

The operation involved a 16-year-old teenager from the Police Cadets who attempted to buy alcohol to gauge whether local businesses are being responsible and abiding by licensing laws.

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 police to ensure that licenced 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 Jeremy Sansom said: "We are committed to ensuring that premises within Gloucestershire are sticking to the relevant legislation for when children and teenagers are making purchases.

"Test purchases allow us to monitor how premises are working and give words of advice to the management teams of those which aren't operating as they should be.

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