Controlled Purchase Operation

A Controlled Purchase Operation that was run recently in the Auckland City Policing Districts Bars and Taverns, which showed that minors could still obtain alcohol from some premises without being asked for identification.

A Controlled Purchase Operation is where Police use selected minors to test the I.D?ing practices of licensed premise. To see if a premise will sell alcohol to a young person without viewing identification.

Alcohol features in more than half of all Police business from minor to major crimes. Research shows about two thirds of minors get alcohol through older family members. Only Parents and Legal Guardians can provide a minor with alcohol, others face prosecution

Over a three day period, a total of 130 premises were visited. this consisted of 127 Off-Licensed premises, and three On-Licensed premises. A total of 9 sales were made from Off-Licensed premises without identification being viewed.

Bars and Taverns that had trust-worthy security at the door restricted entry to minors without identification, and thereby prevented a breach of selling liquor to a minor, and also of allowing a minor onto a designated premise.

Premises that do not employ security need to be more vigilant in asking for identification at the point of sale.

Off-Licensed premises need to also ensure that staff that are permitted to conduct a sale are adequately trained and are mature enough to be able to refuse service where appropriate. Larger premises should have processes in place prohibiting junior staff from conducting a sale without Duty Managers authorising the sale.

Premises need to also be aware of minors congregating within the vicinity of the premises, and pressurising others to obtain alcohol for them. Such purchasers can be prosecuted for supplying alcohol to a minor. On at least two occasions during this operation, this was observed and dealt with accordingly.

Duty Managers are responsible for the compliance with and enforcement of the provisions of the Act; the conditions of the licence in force in respect of the premises; and the conduct of the premises with the aim of contributing to the reduction of liquor abuse.

Duty Managers, and Licensees, need to ensure that this is happening because any breach puts their livelihood, and the license of the premise, at serious risk.

The above detected breaches will be presented to the Liquor Licensing Authority (or District Court where appropriate) with a request for suspensions of the Licences and Manager Certificates involved.

This is part of a continuation of monitoring of all licensed premises to ensure that required standards of service are maintained within the industry, and unsuitable person are removed. Further such operations will be undertaken.

ENDS

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