Funding for Positive Test Purchasing Operations in Wealden

Back in October 2006 the Safer Wealden Partnership financed the supply of Alcohol Testing Strips for testing young peoples drinks both in the street and in pubs. Together with Alcohol Test Purchasing operations, both these measures are proving to be very successful, as the table of results shows below.

Alcohol Test Purchasing operations, conducted by plain clothes police officers, are set to continue throughout the Wealden area. Where alcohol is sold to a young underage person, the seller is either issued an £80 Fixed Penalty ticket or, if they are the Licensee, they will be summonsed before local Magistrates.

Funded by the SWP through the Joint Action Group, Wealden is showing marked improvement in anti-social behaviour and underage drinking on the streets and in our pubs. Drunken youths have been a problem but with structured Partnership working we are making it as difficult as possible for our young people to have access to alcohol. Great successes in Uckfield and Wadhurst recently where, without exception, the volunteer youngsters were refused service at every outlet they visited.

Date	No of Premises	Failures
Mar 07	14	2
Feb 07	17	0
Jan 07	19	3
Dec 06	0	0
Nov 06	12	10
Oct 06	10	6
Sep 06	0	0
Aug 06	0	0
Jul 06	3	1
Jun 06	9	5
May 06	13	4
Apr06	0	0
Mar 06	19	6
Totals	116	37

Location	Passes	Failures
Uckfield	12	9
Hailsham	9	4
Heathfield	15	9
Crowborough	31	9
Pevensey Bay	7	4
Polegate	5	2

With the continued funding through the SWP we are hoping that 2007 will continue to show dramatic and significant decreases in the sale of alcohol to young people over the coming months.

QUOTE from Sergeant Dave Price, “The figures make pleasing reading and it is heartening to see that our Licensees are taking their responsibilities seriously. I would like to remind them to check the ID of any young people who are attempting to buy alcohol. We must not lose focus in this area, so these operations will continue for the foreseeable future.”

QUOTE from PC Jackie Baldwin-Charles, “The refusal rate is improving due to training and follow-up visits being made to premises who have failed. Premises are now asking for ID and staff are now more confident when challenging youngsters.”