Barrow barman sold alcohol to underage boys – twice
Last updated at 14:43, Thursday, 31 May 2012
UNDERAGE teens were served alcohol on two separate occasions by the same barman at a Barrow hotel.
The police have launched a license review into the Victoria Park Hotel in Victoria Road, after under-18s were sold alcohol in two undercover operations.
Hotel owner Ian Alexander will now have to attend a hearing at Barrow Town Hall to examine how future mistakes can be prevented.
The review has been submitted by Inspector Mike O’Hagan of Barrow police, and revealed the hotel failed two test purchase operations.
He said: “This licensed premise has been the subject of two test purchase operations conducted within three months of each other in February and April that have, on both occasions, resulted in sales of alcohol to persons under the age of 18 years. On Saturday February 11 at 9.35pm a test purchase operation was conducted at the Victoria Park Hotel by Cumbria Constabulary utilising male test purchasers aged 15 and 16 years of age.
“The test purchasers were able to purchase alcohol without any recognised identification and the sale was witnessed by covert police officers. The male member of the bar staff responsible for the retail sale of alcohol was issued with a fixed penalty notice for disorder.”
Police then attended the premises on March 5, but Mr Alexander was not present and there was no incident book or staff training records available for inspection.
On April 14 at 8.40pm, a similar inspection resulted in a 15-year-old female and 16-year-old male being sold alcohol by the same barman.
Insp O’Hagan said: “The male member of staff responsible for the retail sale of alcohol was the same male who sold on the first occasion in February and was interviewed under caution and reported for summons.”
The police are now recommending the hotel adopts six action points to prevent underage sales, including ensuring the licence supervisor is present at all times, creating an incident book and bringing in staff training.
A date for the hearing is still to be set, but all representations must be made to Barrow Borough Council by June 7.
Any person intending to make representations can email commercial@barrowbc.gov.uk.
The hotel was contacted by the Evening Mail but Mr Alexander was unavailable for comment.
First published at 13:23, Thursday, 31 May 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk
No licensed premises should be excused for getting caught off guard. The vast majority are doing a fine job and the rest must catch up or face the consequences
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I have to agree with Linda Vickers on this one. People are too quick to judge on these issues, I personally feel that its unfair that everyone should be accountable for one person's incompetency. Staff are aware of the policies in place for the retail sale of Alcohol, Mr Alexander always re-iterates these policies to new and old Staff alike. I appreciate that the said Barman didn't follow procedure twice, however being aware of these policies, how is it right that everyone else be held under jurisdiction?
Posted by Brett Bell on 1 June 2012 at 13:10