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From the
http://www.newsshopper.co.uk by Linda Piper, Tuesday 1 April 2008.
Four pubs named after failing underage tests.
A TOP policeman has voiced his disappointment four Bexley pubs sold
alcohol to underage youngsters in a test purchasing exercise.
The failure comes after a determined effort by Bexley police and the
council to stamp out underage drinking in the borough.
This has seen Bexley heralded as the most hard-line authority on
licensing in the country.
Named and shamed, the pubs were identified as the "Cross Keys" in
Erith High Street; the "Great Harry" in Parsonage Manorway, Belvedere;
the "Forresters Arms" in Upper Wickham Lane, Welling, and the "Style and
Winch" in Northend Road, Erith.
The pubs also allowed youngsters to gamble on pub premises.
Chief Inspector Steve Murrant is in overall charge of licensing in
the borough.
Following the test purchase failures, he said: "After two years of
trying to get the message across we will not tolerate irresponsible
alcohol retailing in this borough, I am disappointed some licensees
still put profit first."
The four pubs were targeted after police received information they
were serving alcohol to underage youngsters.
Tests were carried out on March 20 when four young people were sent
into the pubs to try and buy an alcoholic drink and play on the gaming
machines.
Mr Murrant said he was encouraged people were worried enough to tell
their neighbourhood policing teams of their concerns about the pubs.
The staff who sold the booze were each served with an £80 penalty
notice and the authorities are now considering what further action to
take.
Council leader Councillor Ian Clement said: "We are determined to
drive home our commitment towards enforcing the responsible retailing of
alcohol."
Bexley has reviewed 32 licences in the two years since the new
Licensing Act came into force.
Of these, 14 have either had their licence revoked or the licence
holder has surrendered it voluntarily.
And of the remainder, some have had their licences suspended for a
period and all have had more stringent conditions applied.
People with concerns about underage drinking and anti-social
behaviour can find contact numbers for their safer neighbourhoods teams
at
www.met.police.uk/saferneighbourhoods or call the community safety
hotline free on 0800 389 5013.
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