Five Wellington businesses will be put before the Liquor Licensing Authority after selling alcohol to minors in a 'sting' or controlled purchase operation.
Sergeant Grant Verner, Wellington Police liquor licensing officer, says the businesses - three grocery stores, a bottle store and a supermarket - could have their liquor licenses and or manager's certificates temporarily suspended because of the sales.
The joint Wellington Police, District Licensing Agency (Wellington City Council) and Regional Public Health operation was run early last Friday night. It was the third operation of its type since 2002.
Four young volunteers aged 15 and 16 years visited 31 bottle stores, grocery stores and supermarkets in the Wellington area from the southern and eastern coast through to Tawa. Their mission was to test the systems stores have in place to ensure alcohol isn't sold to minors.
"One of the volunteers wasn't able to buy anything, despite visiting 13 places," Sergeant Verner says. "The other three young people were able to buy wine or beer at five places.
"Three of the sales were made by people with manager's certificates and one from a supermarket which was a little surprising as these places usually have some pretty good systems in place.
"The consequences of those slip-ups could be costly."
"The premises approached were a wide cross section of outlets in the Wellington area and were places we hadn't targeted before in controlled purchase operations," he says.
"The operation was an enforcement and education opportunity. We were able to provide some advice on signage, discuss issues and, for those that didn't make sales, they'll be getting a follow-up letter encouraging them to keep up the good work.
"Alcohol and young people can be a dangerous mix. We hope the operation sends a signal to licensed premises that they need to be on top of their game and not sell to minors."
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