Trade's own identity crisis

With authorities encouraging 'bait' in underage sting operations to lie and use fake ID, BII chief JOHN McNAMARA says it is vital that all pub staff are trained to know what forms of ID are acceptable

Test purchasing has been at the forefront of many of our minds over the last few months. We all accept that test purchasing exists to catch rogue retailers but it is hard to accept the practice undertaken by some local authorities which are encouraging their test purchasers to lie and even to produce good fake ID.

This is a major threat to our businesses and it seems outrageous that these changes to the accepted protocol can be made without any warning. The BII (British Institute of Innkeeping), along with a number of trade organisations, is working with the Local Authorities Co-ordinators of Regulatory Services (LACORS) and the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) to ensure there is a consistent protocol that all authorities are using.

Selling alcohol comes with responsibility and adhering to the Licensing Act 2003 means that licensed retailers need to be aware of not selling to underage customers. I think we all struggle to guess people's ages but we should be clear that, if there is any doubt, we should ask for ID.

Gone are the days when selling to underage customers affects only the licence holder. Now any member of staff can get an on-the-spot fine.

At the core of the issue is precisely what form of ID is acceptable and how to ask for it without causing trouble. Since 2002 the BII, along with a number of other trade organisations, has been working on the promotion and development of the Proof of Age Standards Scheme (PASS).

PASS is the national validation scheme for proof-of-age cards and appears on more than 1m cards across the UK. It is supported by the Home Office and the Trading Standards Institute. Responsible young people will apply for these cards and they should be accepted by responsible licensed retailers. Not every young person will have a photo drivers' licence nor will they be happy to carry a passport on a night out, especially just before a holiday.

Staff training and support is an essential issue and the BII Awarding Body (BIIAB) offers a number of awards and qualifications to aid this. Confidence is key for all concerned, including the public and the industry's regulators.

But what about the individual who, late on a Saturday night, has to refuse sales to a person who is underage or drunk and aggressive? Having the techniques to deal with these tricky circumstances is vital, and staff who have the confidence to tackle these issues will avoid potentially violent consequences. Just one day's training leading to the BIIAB Award in Conflict Management will help staff deal with these situations.

In addition, the BIIAB Level 1 Award in Responsible Alcohol Retailing is designed for anyone working in licensed retail premises, from pubs and bars to supermarkets and convenience stores, and who is directly involved in alcohol sales.

The qualification provides essential knowledge of the law and the social responsibilities of the retail sale of alcohol. Training leading to this qualification can be delivered on the premises or at one of 5,000 BIIAB training venues in the UK.

Underage sales are dangerous for the consumer and retailer. It is an issue that is unlikely to go away and the real battle is on the front line. PASS cards are a vital weapon in our defence.

If you would like more information about PASS and the accredited card schemes, contact John McNamara at wbuazp@ovv.bet​