SGF Members Reject Police Plans for Ban on Sale of Alcohol to Under 21’s in Dumfries Off-Licences
11 June 2008
Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF) members in Dumfries have refused to take part in a local initiative run by Dumfries and Galloway Police to ban the sale of alcohol to under 21’s. The initiative called ‘Operation Hyena’ requests off-sales retailers only to ban the sale of alcohol to under 21’s on a Friday and Saturday night from 5 pm to 10 pm for the next two months, commencing on the 11th July.
Commenting on the decision taken by members, John Drummond, Chief Executive, SGF, said:
“Our members, who are responsible retailers, are very aware that making the mistake of selling alcohol to someone underage already comes with the threat of losing your business or your job, as well as fines and possible prison sentences. As a result many have adopted “Challenge 21” or in some cases “Challenge 25” policies which require a customer to provide proof of age, if they are purchasing an age restricted product and a sales assistant suspects they may be underage. If the customer cannot provide proof of age the sale is refused and recorded in a refusals register. In addition, members invest considerable sums of money training staff and managers, on a continuing basis, on responsible retailing of all age-related products including alcohol.
“The Scottish Government recently launched a consultation paper on measures to deal with alcohol issues, one of which is the proposed age increase to 21 for the sale of alcohol in off-sales. I believe it is quite wrong for any constabulary to introduce the same measure, albeit on a limited basis, whilst this consultation is in place. It is also patently wrong for off-sales to be singled out in this respect.
“We take the issue of age-related sales very seriously indeed but we feel that operations of the kind suggested only serve to confuse staff and customers alike whilst discriminating against the majority of 18 to 21 year olds who drink responsibly. We are happy to co-operate with the Police and other authorities within the parameters of the law; we can share CCTV information and intelligence on suspicions around third-party/proxy purchases i.e. where an adult buys for youngsters. However, we are not happy at entering into a scheme which has not been well publicised and has been communicated to the trade at very short notice.
“I have written to Dumfries and Galloway Police Constabulary to make them aware of SGF’s view on this issue.”
Scottish Grocers Federation