THE teenage drinkers of Huddersfield are to face tough action.
Pubs, bars and off-licences across West Yorkshire will be in our firing line, as police target underage drinkers.
And the licenesses are being urged to be extra vigilant in the run-up to Christmas as our Licensing Officers prepare for the start of a major force-wide test purchasing operation.
Over the coming weeks, officers in plain clothes will be accompanying under-age volunteers as they try to purchase alcohol from various premises around West Yorkshire.
Anyone caught selling alcohol to the youths will be issued with an immediate fine, and the premises involved can expect a follow-up visit at a later date to ensure they have rectified the problem.
A similar operation a few weeks ago in villages of the Holme and Colne Valleys saw several pubs incur fines.
Alcohol is a key factor in crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour, particularly when it involves young people. That’s why we are urging licensees to work with us and be careful during this very busy period.
The operation is not about being killjoys at Christmas, but is aimed at recognising the efforts of responsible retailers and ensuring the ones that fail get the support they need to turn this around. By improving standards we can ensure town and city centres are even safer at this time of year.
Any premises found serving alcohol to those under-age twice within a three-month period could be prosecuted for the offence of persistently selling alcohol to a person under 18.
It could also lead to the licence of the premises being reviewed.
