AMEC results

Street scene

16 OCTOBER 2006

CLUB OPERATORS REGISTER 0% FAILURE IN LATEST AMEC

UPFRONT, news, november 2006, COMMENTS

Two of the UK’s largest late night operators Luminar Leisure and Regent Inns registered no sales to under 18s during the latest alcohol misuse enforcement campaign (AMEC), a report has revealed.

Figures from the four week campaign, which took place from 8 May to 8 June this year, showed an overall failure rate of 12% for underage test purchases in nightclubs. The bar and pub sectors performed less well, with 30% (bars) and 31% (pubs) results recorded. Off licences, also subject to test purchasing, registered an average 20% failure rate. Luminar and Regent Inns were the only named businesses in both the on and off trade categories to register a 0% failure rate.

Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker and Department for Culture, Media and Sport Minister Shaun Woodward met with representatives of the licensed trade industry to discuss the results of the AMEC: the fourth such Government-run campaign to clamp down on alcohol related disorder. Representatives of both the on and off trade, including nightclub trade association BEDA, had constructive discussions with Ministers at meetings looking at the measures industry is taking forward to further the substantial progress already made.

Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker said: “I am disappointed with these test purchase results. The problem of alcohol fuelled crime and disorder is an issue of major public concern and we are all responsible for tackling it.

“We have given police new powers, such as fixed penalty notices, to deal with alcohol related disorder. However the licensed trade need to build on the real progress they have made to drive down sales to young people even further. I am heartened by the industry’s assurances that they are committed to achieving this but I have made it clear to them that we expect to see real improvements in their performance. I will continue to monitor the situation to ensure this happens.”

Mike Craik, ACPO lead on alcohol issues and Chief Constable of Northumbria Police said: “Taking firm action against retailers who flout the law by selling alcohol to young people will help the rest of us to enjoy responsible ‘grown-up’ drinking without fear of our socialising being ruined by drunken louts.”

Paul Smith, Executive Director of BEDA said: “The figures undoubtedly show that the trade as a whole has more work to do, yet the nightclub sector should be heartened by these figures - especially relative to the other on-trade sectors.

“One thing that is also worth mentioning and is that the figures were obtained using a degree of police intelligence - i.e. some premises were targeted because of their reputations for illegal selling and therefore the figures are likely to be higher than a truly random sample would produce.”

Rob Hayward, Chief Executive of the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA), added: “BBPA and BEDA are fully committed to working closely with the Government to reduce underage sales.

Companies are tackling these issues head on, by developing new and innovative ways of ensuring managers, licensees, bar staff and the public are aware of our determination to tackle underage sales.

“Members are committed to tackling under age sales. They devote considerable resources to measures including staff training, research, IT and public information and, clearly, there’s more to do. This is about delivering long-term, lasting results and we are confident we can bring the failure rate down even further.”

From: October 2006 Issue

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