Fifty one off-licence liquor outlets in the Auckland City Police District have been caught selling alcohol to minors aged 16 or 17 so far this year.
Of the 51 detected, 14 were either supermarkets or superettes.
The offending outlets were detected through managed Police controlled purchase operations (CPOs) whereby underage customers visit the outlets to test how rigorous counter staff are when selling to those of indeterminate age.
District Commander, Superintendent Richard Chambers, says the results were very disappointing.
"Judging by what we've detected, Auckland City District has the worst results nationally when the percentage of sales is compared to the number of premises visited."
The national average for CPO failures is 8.5 per cent while the total failure rate for outlets 'tested' in the Auckland City District is 23.8 per cent.
The District's Alcohol Harm Prevention Unit, in partnership with Auckland Regional Health Officers and District Licensing Authority staff, conducted 10 CPOs so far this year, visiting 214 supermarkets, wineries and bottle-stores.
"The minors who participated were obviously young so it's concerning that the message of ‘No ID, No Service, No Exceptions’ - even though all premises displayed such signage - is not getting through," Mr Chambers said.
"Underage drinkers are adept at identifying ‘easy’ liquor outlets and bars where staff tend not to ask for proof of age. All liquor outlets should know their obligations to ask for identification, with the general policy being to ask any person who appears to be under 25."
He reminded duty managers of their responsibilities to ensure compliance with and enforcement of the provisions of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012, which aims to contribute to reducing harm caused by alcohol.
The detected breaches have been presented to the Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority (ARLA) which has already banned Countdown Waiheke from selling alcohol for five days between 7am December 7 and 7am December 12. ARLA also suspended the duty manager's General Manager's certificate for 30 days.
Controlled Purchase Operations are one of several tools used to assess the distribution of alcohol to young people. These activities aim to:
- Reduce young people’s access to alcohol;
- Make those who sell alcohol illegally more accountable;
- Increase the perception of the risk of detection;
- Reduce the incidence of alcohol-related harm among young people;
- Reduce alcohol-related crime, especially among young people.
Mr Chambers said Police in Auckland City would continue to use CPOs until such time as they were deemed no longer necessary.
ENDS
Issued by Noreen Hegarty
Auckland City Police Communications Manager
Ph 09 302 6947 or 0274-951-589
Website: www.police.govt.nz