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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Under-age drink fines clampdown | Under-age drink fines clampdown |
| (1 day later) | |
| Thirteen more councils in Wales are being given powers to hand out £80 fines to people caught selling alcohol to anyone under the age of 18. | Thirteen more councils in Wales are being given powers to hand out £80 fines to people caught selling alcohol to anyone under the age of 18. |
| Previously only police officers in the counties could issue the fixed penalty. | Previously only police officers in the counties could issue the fixed penalty. |
| The extra powers being granted to trading standards officers working for the accredited councils are aimed at tackling under-age drinking. | The extra powers being granted to trading standards officers working for the accredited councils are aimed at tackling under-age drinking. |
| The five local authorities in the Gwent Police force area have been operating the scheme for the last two years. | The five local authorities in the Gwent Police force area have been operating the scheme for the last two years. |
| Trading standards in any county can carry out test purchase checks on traders to establish whether they will sell alcohol to those under age. | Trading standards in any county can carry out test purchase checks on traders to establish whether they will sell alcohol to those under age. |
| COUNCILS WITH AUTHORITY TO ISSUE ALCOHOL FINES: CeredigionPembrokeshirePowysIsle of AngleseyConwyDenbighshireFlintshireWrexhamBridgendCardiffRhondda Cynon TafSwanseaVale of GlamorganSource: Gwent Police | COUNCILS WITH AUTHORITY TO ISSUE ALCOHOL FINES: CeredigionPembrokeshirePowysIsle of AngleseyConwyDenbighshireFlintshireWrexhamBridgendCardiffRhondda Cynon TafSwanseaVale of GlamorganSource: Gwent Police |
| A range of enforcement options is available including prosecution and review of the alcohol licence. | |
| Now, due to a joint initiative with the four police forces of Wales, some trading standards officers working for 18 councils will be able to issue £80 penalty notices. | |
| More than 50 trading standards officers have attended courses run by Gwent Police. | More than 50 trading standards officers have attended courses run by Gwent Police. |
| Jacqui Morgan, chair of the Wales heads of trading standards, said it would help tackle under-age drinking and health and anti-social behaviour problems associated with it. | |
| "I am delighted that this new power is now available to assist us in this important area of work," she added. | "I am delighted that this new power is now available to assist us in this important area of work," she added. |
| "Although the penalty is issued to the person at the till, we will still continue to take the necessary action against the licence holder." | "Although the penalty is issued to the person at the till, we will still continue to take the necessary action against the licence holder." |
| Social Justice Minister Brian Gibbons said: "Tackling the sale of alcohol to young people is a key part of the Welsh Assembly Government's substance misuse strategy. | Social Justice Minister Brian Gibbons said: "Tackling the sale of alcohol to young people is a key part of the Welsh Assembly Government's substance misuse strategy. |
| "I am pleased to be working with trading standards and Gwent Police to find new ways of enforcing current legislation around under-age drinking and encouraging those who sell alcohol to check the ages of young people." | "I am pleased to be working with trading standards and Gwent Police to find new ways of enforcing current legislation around under-age drinking and encouraging those who sell alcohol to check the ages of young people." |