Please attribute to Sergeant Tai Patrick, Alcohol Harm Prevention Officer:
Police are pleased with the actions of 17 off-licenced premises following a recent Controlled Purchase Operation (CPO) in Whangarei.
The operation was conducted by the Northland Police Alcohol Harm Prevention Officer along with Whangarei District Council, and Northland District Health Board.
CPOs are used in conjunction with licence compliance checks to ensure licensed premises and certified managers are operating within their legal responsibilities.
For this operation a 16-year-old volunteer visited premises and attempted to purchase alcohol. All but one premise visited requested identification, correctly identified the age of the minor and politely declined the sale.
Minors are at increased risk of alcohol-related harm and selling alcohol to a minor is a serious offence, attracting heavy fines and/or suspension of liquor licence and manager’s certificate.
“Police are pleased with the result. Although there was just one failure it is very encouraging to see that the majority of the premises visited adhered to the liquor law, especially leading into the Christmas and New Year holiday season,” says Sergeant Tai Patrick.
If you have any concerns about the sale or supply of alcohol to minors in your community, or you have any other questions around the sale or supply of alcohol, please contact your local Police station or Alcohol Harm Prevention Officer.
ENDS
Jarred Williamson/NZ Police