Portsmouth targets proxy alcohol sales
Portsmouth Trading Standards has launched Proxywatch to catch adults buying booze for kids.
Any adult caught buying alcohol for youngsters could be hit with an £80 on-the-spot fine or a larger fine of up to £5,000 if the matter is taken to court.
The campaign is the first of its kind in Britain and begins today (4 April) in conjunction with Hampshire police as part of the Safer Portsmouth Partnership.
It will involve:
• Thousands of posters, leaflets and information cards in shops, off-licences and public buildings warning adults not to commit an offence, and appealing for information about crimes.• A six-month cinema ad campaign with the same message.• Stepped-up patrols by trading standards and police to deter offenders.• Undercover work by trading standards to gather information and catch offenders.
"There's definitely an increase in cases of adult customers buying it for children," said Portsmouth City Council's head of Trading Standards Rob Briggs.
"This is leading to increased reports of intimidation, criminal damage and drunken behaviour.
"A lot of proxy sales come from older members of groups buying drink for under-18s.
"But during our observations we have seen many strangers approached - even our own undercover trading standards officers.
"On operations with police we find children as young as 12 with alcohol from proxy sales. The alcohol is confiscated by the police."
He added: We've been working hard to make sure shops understand the issue, and have had an excellent response from supermarkets and smaller stores, who have agreed to display campaign posters and pass on information.
"We're hoping people will get in touch with details that will help us pinpoint where the problems are and take action.
"They can be anonymous if they want to.
"If people tip us off then they will be helping make their community a better place, with fewer problems of youths hanging around outside shops causing trouble."
