Teen booze crackdown success

On September 27 plain clothes officers carried out test-purchase operation in the town.

Two young people aged under 18 visited eight licensed premises and tried to buy alcoholic drinks.

In each case they were refused service.

PSCO Angie Osborne said: 'This is an excellent result and everyone involved is really pleased with the positive way in which the young people were dealt with.

'When these operations were first introduced the results were far from satisfactory with our young people being served at many establishments within the Wealden area.

'The results have steadily improved which shows that licensees are becoming much more focused on this issue.

'It is not our aim to penalise workers in the licensing trade.

'We just want to make it as difficult as possible for young people to be able to buy alcohol.

'I would ask that licensees keep focussed on this issue, and keep up their good work in refusing sales to under age people.'

The operation follows a week after Somerfield's managers faced a formal licensing review by Wealden councillors and officers after four separate incidents which saw underage people served alcohol by cashiers in the store.

The store promised to embark on a rigorous training campaign and ensure qualified staff were on duty at all times.