Oswestry’s Community Alcohol Partnership promotes proof of age to tackle underage drinking
A Shropshire Council-led project, which is working to tackle underage drinking in Oswestry, is placing the focus on proof of age as part of a national scheme.
The Oswestry Community Alcohol Partnership (Os-CAP) has joined forces with organisations that operate accredited Proof of Age Standards Schemes (PASS) to encourage pubs and alcohol retailers to promote PASS accredited proof of age cards to young people.
The work is linked to the national Challenge 25 campaign which requires staff in licensed premises to challenge all customers who appear to be under 25 years old.
Os-CAP involves Shropshire Council, alcohol retailers, pubs and the local community working together in a bid to reduce the crime, anti-social behaviour and harm caused by underage drinking.
Licensing legislation introduced a mandatory condition in 2010, requiring all licensed premises to have a policy preventing underage sales. This includes ensuring that staff ask for photographic proof of age from all customers who appear to be under 18 years old.
Frances Darling, trading standards manager for Shropshire Council and chair of Os-CAP, said:
“The change to the licensing legislation that occurred last year emphasised the need for the Os-CAP to actively promote proof of age and Challenge 25. Although the legislation states that policies must relate to customers who are under 18, we very strongly recommend that licensees incorporate Challenge 25 into their policies, making the process much more robust.
“This makes it even more important for young people to carry appropriate proof of age. The Os-CAP recognises that passports and photo driving licences are appropriate but that PASS accredited proof of age cards, such as those offered by VALIDATE UK and Citizencard are also extremely effective methods of proving a person’s age.
“Proof of age packs are being made available to pubs and retail premises who are encouraging young people to take the packs and apply for a PASS accredited card. PASS accredited cards are much cheaper than a passport and if lost don’t compromise a person’s security.”
Councillor Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member with responsibility for trading standards, said:
“The Os-CAP brings the trade, the community, enforcers and many other partners together to tackle the effects of underage drinking in Oswestry. Promoting proof of age together with Challenge 25 is just one example of the work that the Os-CAP is undertaking to bring about a change in attitudes towards underage drinking.”
Shropshire councillors for Oswestry fully support the work of Os-CAP in highlighting the importance of proof of age policies and Challenge 25.
An extensive survey carried out by the Retail of Alcohol Standards Group, which consists of major retailers, found that staff have great difficulty in assessing ages correctly and lack confidence to challenge customers. The Challenge 25 policy removes the need for staff to accurately assess ages and increases the expectation of young people that they will be asked for proof of age.
