Calls to alter underage fake ID penalty
A determined licensee is campaigning for a change in law over the punishment underage drinkers receive for using fake IDs, in a bid to stamp out the problem.
Paul Neades, licensee at the Litten Tree, in Hereford, wants police to have the power to issue a fixed penalty notice to youngsters trying to buy a drink with a tampered ID.
Currently, under the Identity Cards Act 2006 , the only option available to police is to arrest a fake ID user, which can lead to a maximum of two years in prison.
A petition has also been set up by Neades on the 10 Downing Street website calling for a change in the law.
The licensee has also raised the issue with Home Office minister Alan Campbell, through his local MP, but has been disappointed with his response - branding it a "cop out".
But in a written response Campbell said the Home Office was aware of the problem and the issue was being looked at.
However he adedd that the offences were not suitable for a fixed penatly notice, because "we consider that offences involving fraud are too serious for this form of disposal".
He also pointed to the PASS scheme, which the government, he said, supports.
"He (Campbell) said there were measures in place, and highlighted the PASS scheme," said Neades. "But he didn't really address the issue.
"This is a national problem though."
Neades invited his local MP Paul Keetch, who is involved in the campaign, to observe the problem in his pub.
"He came down on a Friday and stood on our door," said Neades. "But he was gobsmacked that the police could do nothing apart from confiscate the IDs."
He added: "We don't want to criminalise these kids with the current law. An £80 fixed penalty notice would be a much better solution.
"The problem will not be solved overnight, but we need to do something."
