HARLOW: Crackdown on underage drinking

10:24am Friday 27th June 2008

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UNDERAGE drinking in Harlow is being targeted - after the town last year had one of the worst records for underage alcohol in the county.

Essex County Council Trading Standards is teaming up Harlow Council, police and the Safer Harlow Partnership to tackle the issue after 35 per cent of shops failed test purchases last year.

Trading Standards will be ensuring that children are not being given easy access to alcohol at the town’s shops.

Officers will be visiting all shops in Harlow that sell alcohol, to give specific advice on not selling alcohol to children. Officers will be advising shop supervisors to adopt the ‘Think 21’ policy which encourages staff to always ask for proof of age if the customer looks to be under 21.

Test purchases will also be carried out using underage volunteers. Any shop that fails more than one test purchase risks having its licence suspended or revoked.

Trading Standards officers will also be accompanying police and local licensing officers on evening visits to prevent groups of children from drinking and getting involved in anti-social behaviour.

County council trading standards executive member Roger Walters said: “We’re confident we can improve the situation in Harlow, and we’re pleased to be working alongside our colleagues at Harlow Council and Essex Police.

“We cannot achieve this unless we have the support of local shops, and those who ignore our warnings will be punished accordingly.”