In a recent operation only one licensed premise in the Waimakariri District sold to underage volunteers.
"This is a very good result and reflects well on the local liquor industry and is a significant improvement on previous years," says Constable Kerry Lancaster, Alcohol Strategy and Enforcement Team.
"The perfect result in such an operation is for no licensed premise to sell to our underage volunteers. On this occasion only one premise,out of the twenty three premises visited,
made a sale."
On Friday the 21st of November 2008 a Tri-Agency Liquor licensing Team comprising Waimakariri Council Licensing Inspectors, Community and Public Health Licensing Officers along with Police conducted a Controlled Purchase Operation in the Waimakariri District.
This involves the use of under age volunteers, working under the supervision of Police, to test the effectiveness of licensee's practices. Operations such as this are a particularly useful tool in combating the abuse of alcohol by minors. It is a well established method supported within the liquor industry.
Police will work with the offending premises to improve their staff training and related processes.
Alcohol contributes to between 50 and 70% of all crime and crashes as well as placing significant pressures on the health service. The control of underage drinking is an important part of reducing the affects of alcohol abuse on society.
"Future operations are planned to foster continuing improvements and we look forward to achieving 100% compliance across the North Canterbury Area," says Constable Lancaster.
For the Tri-Agency Liquor Licensing Team;
Senior Sergeant Peter Cooper
Area Manager
North Canterbury Police
Constable Kerry Lancaster
Alcohol Strategy and Enforcement Team
Ph 03 3780440