POLICE are concerned that youngsters in several quiet Fylde villages are using fake identity cards to buy alcohol.

Now they are joining forces with the Portman Group, the only identity card officials approved by the Government, to ensure licensees can more readily recognise authentic proof of identity cards.

Pilling PC, Alan Houghton, said he became aware of the problem when he discovered a 15-year-old boy had passed himself off as a 19-year-old to buy alcohol from a shop in Preesall.

The boy had used a fake identity card which he had bought from a national magazine.

He was later given a formal caution by police.

PC Houghton said: "These identity cards, deliberately sold as fakes and designed specifically for juveniles, fly in the face of all that we are trying to do to combat under-age drinking.

"But we know that licensees often have difficulty deciding just how old some teenagers really are, and we do have some sympathy for them.

"We recommend that if they are in doubt they insist on seeing either an officially recognised Portman Group proof-of-age card or a passport.

Both of these display a photograph."

PC Houghton urged licensees and shopkeepers to help the police by being more insistent on seeing proof-of-age cards.

Andrew Chevis, head of public affairs for the Portman Group said: "I'm delighted that Lancashire Constabulary will be supplying retailers with specimen cards so they can tell the difference.

If they accept other forms of ID they could risk prosecution or the loss of their liquor licence.

"Under-18s must be aware that using a fake ID is proof of their intent to commit the criminal offence of buying alcohol.

"We are discussing with the Home Office how to crack down on those companies selling fake ID cards."

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