Undercover kids to test drinks shops

The Government is poised to change the laws of England and Wales so retailers can be secretly tested to see whether they are prepared to sell alcohol to children.

At present, children cannot be used to make test purchases -- as they can for things like tobacco and fireworks -- because they would be breaking the law themselves.

It is an offence for an under-age person to buy alcohol as well as it being an offence for the retailer to sell it.

News of the planned law change was given by Home Office Minister Paul Boateng as he praised the "foresight" of Greater Manchester Police Authority for getting to grips with Crime and disorder.

Speaking at a conference at GM Police's Hough End complex, the MP said: "I welcome the establishment of your local working groups on alcohol under the police authority umbrella and the working of this conference bringing together the key people to develop a positive response and strategy." Boateng, who took over from Alun Michael last month, was speaking at a crime and disorder conference organised jointly by GM Police Authority and the Manchester-based charity, Alcohol and Drugs Services.

Mr Boateng said: "The Government is not in the business of interfering with people's harmless pleasures.

"It has to be recognised, however, that for some drinking can be associated with violence and disorder. Home Office research bears this out, particularly in the case of young men in and outside pubs and clubs on Friday and Saturday nights.

"Indeed, senior police officers have indicated that alcohol-related violence and disorder is one of the most serious problems that they face.

"That view is reflected regularly in the correspondence from MPs, local councillors, the general public and others received in my office."

He added: "As regards individual experiences of violence, the 1996 British Crime Survey found that, of those reporting any such experience, 41pc indicated that their assailant was under the influence of alcohol; of those reporting domestic violence, 32pc did so.

"Obviously, we are concerned for the individual victim. In the more public arena, what we want is for our towns and cities to be safe for everyone.

"We want families and law-abiding people to be free to enjoy our town and city centres without the harassment and intimidation, or simple disturbance and unpleasantness, caused by others' boorish, selfish and anti-social conduct that all too often is associated with the abuse of alcohol."

Pressed

He added: "Also, we have been pressed from a number of quarters for greater use of test purchase operations to ensure that retailers are complying with the law.

"Some have expressed uncertainty about the legality of test purchases for alcohol because it is an offence to buy it when under age, unlike other products.

"To put matters beyond doubt, we propose to amend the law to make it clear that test purchases may be applied to sales of alcohol in England and Wales." UNDERCOVER kids may soon be used to test-buy booze from unscrupulous retailers.

The Government is poised to change the laws of England and Wales so retailers can be secretly tested to see whether they are prepared to sell alcohol to children.

At present, children cannot be used to make test purchases -- as they can for things like tobacco and fireworks -- because they would be breaking the law themselves.

It is an offence for an under-age person to buy alcohol as well as it being an offence for the retailer to sell it.

News of the planned law change was given by Home Office Minister Paul Boateng as he praised the "foresight" of Greater Manchester Police Authority for getting to grips with crime and disorder.

Speaking at a conference at GM Police's Hough End complex, the MP said: "I welcome the establishment of your local working groups on alcohol under the police authority umbrella and the working of this conference bringing together the key people to develop a positive response and strategy." Boateng, who took over from Alun Michael last month, was speaking at a crime and disorder conference organised jointly by GM Police Authority and the Manchester-based charity, Alcohol and Drugs Services.

Mr Boateng said: "The Government is not in the business of interfering with people's harmless pleasures.

"It has to be recognised, however, that for some drinking can be associated with violence and disorder. Home Office research bears this out, particularly in the case of young men in and outside pubs and clubs on Friday and Saturday nights.

"Indeed, senior police officers have indicated that alcohol-related violence and disorder is one of the most serious problems that they face.

"That view is reflected regularly in the correspondence from MPs, local councillors, the general public and others received in my office."

He added: "As regards individual experiences of violence, the 1996 British Crime Survey found that, of those reporting any such experience, 41pc indicated that their assailant was under the influence of alcohol; of those reporting domestic violence, 32pc did so.

"Obviously, we are concerned for the individual victim. In the more public arena, what we want is for our towns and cities to be safe for everyone.

"We want families and law-abiding people to be free to enjoy our town and city centres without the harassment and intimidation, or simple disturbance and unpleasantness, caused by others' boorish, selfish and anti-social conduct that all too often is associated with the abuse of alcohol."

Pressed

He added: "Also, we have been pressed from a number of quarters for greater use of test purchase operations to ensure that retailers are complying with the law.

"Some have expressed uncertainty about the legality of test purchases for alcohol because it is an offence to buy it when under age, unlike other products.

"To put matters beyond doubt, we propose to amend the law to make it clear that test purchases may be applied to sales of alcohol in England and Wales."

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