Police warn: check ages or risk action

West Yorkshire Police force has warned pubs and nightclubs in Leeds that they have until 1 July to make sure all bar and doorstaff ask for ID from anyonewho looks under 21 ­ or risk police action.

Police said they would submit evidence that pubs were not following the "Check 21" scheme when challenging a licence.

Random checks on pubs and clubs are promised after the1 July deadline to be compliant with the scheme.

Police warned: "Where underage drinking is discovered and a venue has failed to engage in the scheme, these facts will be produced as evidence.

"Subsequent licensing proceedings could lead to a review or forfeiture of the licence."

The Leeds City Licensing Association (LCLA) backed the police requirement for both door and barstaff to check for ID.

LCLA business director Stephen Hawkins explained: "It is linked to the new rules; barstaff can get a fixed penalty notice of £80 for serving someone under-age. Whereas in nightclubs especially, they would rely on doorstaff, they are now duty bound [to check ID].

"I think there was some complacency from barstaff that as long as the front door was checking, they wouldn't bother. This scheme gives us two lines of defence."

Hawkins said there was some concern about the amount of time it could take some venues that attract younger customers ­ particularly those that hold student nights ­ to check the ID of everyone who looked as if they were aged under 21. But he said he was assured by the Student Union at the University of Leeds that students tend to carry ID with them.