Licencees Please District Licensing Unit

Counties Manukau, 17 April 2014 - Counties Manukau Police District Licensing Unit (DLU) have reported a pleasing result following a weekend of Controlled Purchase Operations.

A Controlled Purchase Operation is used to test a licenced premise on its integrity when presented with a minor trying to buy alcohol (under Police instruction). So far this year (since July 2013), 462 CPOs have been conducted and the team has found 22 failures.

“In the past week 80 CPOs took place in the areas of Papakura, Takanini, Manukau, Papatoetoe, Flat Bush, Howick and Pakuranga,” says Sergeant Matt Tierney of the Counties Manukau Police District Licencing Unit. “None of these licencees failed, which is extremely pleasing to see. We have found that persistent testing has ensured that the local licencees understand the consequences of breaking their licence terms and in turn we have received a high level of complaince.”

Licencees that are caught in breach of the conditions of their licence and the law will receive varying suspensions for both their managers' certificates and the premise's licence.

The length and type of suspensions depends on the offending and how many times the licencee has been found to be in breach of their licence terms.

"We advise all liquor licencees to remember that selling to a minor is a serious breach of the Act. We take failures seriously and won't tolerate repeat offenders," says Sergeant Tierney. "We commend all licencees who understand the importance of adhering to liquor licensing terms."

450 CPOs were conducted in Counties Manukau last year which was an increase of 379% from the previous year and this number is set to be exceeded before the end of this fiscal year (June).

“Due to the high number of checks, local licensees know they are likely to be checked and are more vigilant with their sales.”

ENDS

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