Campaign to fight fake ID

A licensee is campaigning to give police new powers to fine youngsters who use fake or doctored ID to try to buy alcohol.

Paul Neades has written to Home Office minister Alan Campbell and invited his MP to experience the problem first hand at his pub.

Neades, manager of the Litten Tree in Hereford, wants an amendment to the 2006 ID Cards Act to make the use of fake or altered ID for the purchase of age-restricted goods to be an offence. This would mean £80 fixed-penalty notices could be given.

Currently any action against an offender would require a prosecution.

"That's a lot of work for the police. It will increase their crime figures, which they don't want," said Neades. "An £80 on-the-spot fine would be a lot more effective."

Neades' MP, Liberal

Democrat Paul Keetch, joined local police and council licensing chiefs at the door of the Litten Tree on Friday night.

They got a taste of the problem when they were called to a nearby bar where a group of youngsters were caught using altered passports to gain entry.

"Paul Keetch was shocked that the police couldn't do any more than confiscate their passports and call their parents. He is 100% behind us."

Neades has set up a petition to the Prime Minister as part of his campaign — see here for more​.