Bay shop nabbed selling grog to minor

Licensed premises need to up their act, says officer

Another Far North alcohol vendor has been busted selling alcohol to someone aged under 18.

The latest sting by police and the Northland District Health Board targeted eight off-licence premises and three bars in the wider Bay of Islands.

Of the 11 premises tested, one sold alcohol to a minor. While it was a better result than February's sting in the Kaitaia area, in which four out of 10 premises sold alcohol to minors, the officer in charge of the operation described it as "extremely disappointing".

Far North alcohol harm reduction officer Senior Constable Graeme Wright said it showed licensed premises still needed to lift their standards. It also showed how easy it was for young people to access alcohol.

"Licensees are required to ensure they don't sell alcohol to our kids. That is why we have a system of licences. How hard is it to stop selling to kids? Well, it's easy, no photo identification - no sale."

He would not say which establishment was caught out but it was understood to be a bottle shop. The controlled purchase operation was carried out on April 11 in Russell, Opua, Paihia, Okaihau, Kerikeri and Waipapa.

The incident had been referred to the Alcohol Regulatory Licensing Authority, which would decide on the penalty.

The new Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act, which came into force in December, brought in a three-strikes rule under which premises and managers can lose their licences permanently if they break the rules three times.

Each offence can also result in short-term suspensions and fines of up to $10,000.

Mr Wright believed the off-licence caught out by the operation had not intentionally sold to a minor, but might have become complacent about carrying out proper age checks. It was difficult to tell by sight if someone was 16, 17, or 18, so it was vital to confirm a young person's age with a photo ID. The people used in the operation were aged 17 and enlisted from partner agencies, he said.

During Easter police would be actively checking drivers and licensed premises as part of the Australasia-wide Operation Unite, which aims to reduce alcohol misuse, crime, violence and anti-social behaviour.