12:45pm Monday 8th March 2010
By Sam Chadderton
SHOPKEEPERS will have to pay to attend ‘responsible alcohol retailing’ courses after serving under-age teenagers.
Five shops in Blackburn and Darwen were caught out in a joint operation.
Teenage test purchasers were able to buy cans of lager and cider from five out of the 16 shops across the borough visited by police and Trading Standards in recent weeks.
Licensing officers from Blackburn town centre visited six off-licences in Blackburn.
Three of the shops failed the test and two members of staff will now pay £50 pounds to attend a course.
The licence holder at one of the shops was given a police caution.
In Darwen, two out of 10 off-licences failed.
Licensing sergeant for Blackburn town centre Andy Duxbury, said: “Because the personal licence holder has taken an exam, they have less excuse than a random member of staff.
"For that reason they were interviewed and given a formal caution which will go on their record.
“The results are surprising because there was no change in tactics, but these test purchases were intelligence-led so I’m not as surprised in that respect.
“We’ve had information they were selling alcohol to under-age children.
"In a lot of respects it is good we’ve identified them to make interventions.”
Inspector Muz Patala said: “Selling alcohol to children is not only against the law but can also put these children at risk.
“We will continue to carry out similar operations with the council over the coming months and will take robust action against those who disregard their responsibilities when it comes to refusing sales to under-18s.”
Police have declined to name those off-licences caught out.
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