Tories slam underage sales prosecution record

The Tories have hit out over the number of prosecutions taken against licensees persistently selling alcohol to under-18s.

The Conservatives claim that no prosecutions were brought against licensees for the offence of "persistently selling" alcohol to underage youngsters in the last two years. In fact, Tesco in Blackpool was fined £6,000 after failing three test purchase operations in March this year.

The Home Office also said that 3,000 individuals were prosecuted for selling alcohol to under-18s and 9,000 Fixed Penalty Notices were issued between 2005 to 2007. The most recent figures are still being compiled.

The news comes as the Tories also labelled the Booze ASBO scheme, which could see troublemakers banned from pubs, a "gimmick".

Shadow home affairs minister James Brokenshire said the reality of Labour's policies on alcohol has been "communities blighted by drunken and loutish behaviour" with alcohol-related hospital admissions in some areas doubling since the new licensing laws came into effect in some areas.

He said: "The police are being stretched in the early hours of the morning by violent incidents and doctors and nurses in casualty departments are being left to deal with the health consequences of excessive drinking."

However, Federation of Licensed Victuallers Associations chief executive Tony Payne said: "There has been action taken under the Licensing Act and through Fixed Penalty Notices where appropriate.

"Licensees and staff are well trained and are doing an excellent job. Maybe this shows it."

Licensing expert Peter Coulson added: "The usual course of action is to go for a licence review rather than a prosecution as conditions can then be added to the licence."

A Government spokesperson said: "Police are using available tools and powers to tackle alcohol related crime and disorder. We have just completed a nationwide consultation on a tough new mandatory code of practice to ensure businesses that sell alcohol are doing so responsibly.

"Alcohol related crime has fallen by a third in the last 12 years but we have never been complacent. We are educating young people that binge drinking is socially unacceptable through the Know Your Limits campaign.

"Our tough powers are having an effect. Between 2004 and 2007 the number of shops failing test operations fell from 50% to 15%."