Home Office vows to repeat alcohol blitz

Pubs face a new blitz of sting operations and stiff new penalties on staff as the Home Office and police plan to build on the success of their summer campaign to curb under-age and anti-social drinking.

And chief executives of pubs, bars and off-licences that have repeatedly sold alcohol to underage people have been ordered to explain to Home Secretary David Blunkett what they intend to do to address the problem.

The campaign found that 4% of pubs and off-licences visited during July and August by police, local authorities and trading standards officers had committed an offence.

The drive covered more than 30,500 premises (including 23,570 on-licence businesses) across 92 police areas in England and Wales .

Sting operations against 1,852 properties revealed that 51% pubs and 32% off-licences were selling alcohol to under-18s.

"I am determined to tackle the irresponsible and illegal selling of alcohol identified during the campaign," said Home Secretary David Blunkett.

These include new powers for police to impose on-the-spot penalties of £80 on bar staff caught selling alcohol to underage people.

Blunkett has also asked the Sentencing Guidelines Council to examine whether the fines are being properly used against pubs and shops prosecuted for illegal sales of alcohol.

"I am absolutely committed to making sure we clamp down on those venues that are routinely flouting the law," added Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell, who is responsible for revamped licensing laws that come into force next year.

"One key change will be the increase in maximum fines from £1,000 to £5,000 for anyone caught selling alcohol to under-18s."

by Angela Frewin