Manawatu Police conducted a controlled purchase operation alongside licensing inspectors and Health representatives in the Palmerston North and Feilding areas on Friday 25 August.
Controlled purchase operations are carried out to check processes and ensure compliance with the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 by licensed premises, which assists in preventing and reducing the supply of alcohol to young people.
Two underage volunteers, aged 16 and 17, visited a number of licensed premises attempting to purchase alcohol, including bottle stores, supermarkets, restaurants and bars.
In total 27 premises were visited, of which three failed by selling alcohol to a volunteer.
“We are pleased to see the majority of premises in our area were vigilant in making sure they checked a customers IDs before selling them any alcohol,” says Sergeant Brendon Gerrish, Manawatu Alcohol Harm Prevention Officer.
“However, it is disappointing for three premises to have failed, as no one under the legal age of 18 should be able to purchase alcohol”
“Enquiries are still ongoing in relation to this operation, which will help determine any action taken as a result”
“We will continue to conduct these operations on a regular basis, and we would like to remind those in the hospitality industry that if a person looks under 25, then please make sure that you ask them for ID.”
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre.