Twelve of the 22 liquor outlets caught in a Hamilton police sting in September have again been caught selling liquor to under-age people.
Police and liquor licensing agencies in the city say they are disillusioned and fed up with what they say is the constant flouting of liquor licensing laws by some operators in the city. Most of the businesses caught in the latest sting were suburban bottle stores and retail outlets.
In the latest controlled purchase operation last weekend, police sent out four under-age volunteers to buy liquor at nominated outlets on Friday and Saturday night. Inspector Wayne Ewers of Hamilton police said the operation targetted those businesses that had been caught selling liquor to minors in the September operation.
"It's very disheartening to see that out of the 22 premises caught last time, over half of them again sold liquor to our volunteers. These volunteers certainly did not look 18 and one in particular looked no more than 13. In almost every case they were not asked for ID and were willingly sold the alcohol," Mr Ewers said.
The operation was run in conjunction with the Hamilton City Council's liquor licensing unit, which oversees the implementation of liquor licensing regulations in the city. Two more new premises were added to the list at the weekend - both sold liquor to the volunteers.
A Hamilton city restaurant may also be facing prosecution after it sold liquor illegally. The restaurant had already been warned about its expired liquor licence, but continued to sell liquor to a group of police who were there at the weekend.
Mr Ewers said last weekend's operation was part of an overall Safe City strategy between the council and police which also included visiting a number of inner-city bars and restaurants. Other failures found included expired liquor licences and manager's certificates.
All those businesses caught in the sting will be referred to the Liquor Licensing Authority and are also likely to face prosecution in court. They could face cancellation or suspension of their liquor licences and duty manager's certificates.
Mr Ewers said police would continue to target licensed premises as part of a combined Safe City approach with the council.
"We make no apology for this. Alcohol features prominently in our crime statistics and those who sell it have a major responsibility to the community. We are particularly concerned about under-age drinkers, but we have an uphill battle on our hands when it is being sold freely to our children by unscrupulous or careless licensees."
Mr Ewers said police and liquor licensing agencies sent out letters earlier this year to all licensed premises in Hamilton urging them to "raise the bar" in their work practices and obligations under the Sale of Liquor Act. Council staff have also spoken directly to the owners of premises that have not been complying with the regulations.
"These people have had fair warning. If they continue to flout the law they will lose their licences."