In October 2006, the Police Standards Unit coordinated an intelligence led Tackling Underage Sales of Alcohol Campaign (TUSAC) across 27 BCUs in 16 Forces. The aim was to further target the illegal sale of alcohol to young people and to increase the use of the review process to maximise the impact of licensing legislation in controlling the irresponsible retailing of alcohol.
As a result, a significant number of premises had their licences suspended for periods of up to 3 months and additional conditions being imposed upon their licence. Building upon the success of this campaign, the Police Standards Unit with support from ACPO and LACORS is coordinating and funding a national TUSAC in 2007. This campaign will utilise new legislation regarding persistent sales to enable local partnerships to make use of all appropriate legislation in dealing with problem licensed premises. Amendments to the Violent Crime Reduction Act mean that police now able to impose a suspension and a £10,000 fine upon licensed premises caught selling alcohol to under-18s three times in a three-month period.
All BCUs in partnership with their local Trading Standards have been invited to participate in this national TUSAC commencing on 4th May 2007 and concluding on 15th July 2007, and to bid for funding up to the sum of £5000 for each participating BCU to assist with the test purchase operations. Consideration of prosecution of premises licence holders for persistently selling alcohol to children will be the most significant element of this campaign. Bids had to be submitted by 30th March.
Further information on the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006:
The police do not impose fines. And suspension for 48 hours is an alternative to prosecution where offered by the police.
Posted by: J C Cummins | Sunday, May 06, 2007 at 11:54 AM