Marlborough licensees get perfect score

On Friday 13th May 2011 Marlborough Police conducted a Controlled Purchase Operation with the support of Marlborough Public Health, visiting 20 licensed premises.

The operation was part of the trans-Tasman alcohol harm reduction Operation Unite.

The Controlled Purchase Operation involved two volunteers aged 16 and 17 years attempting to purchase alcohol at 20 off licence outlets through Blenheim, Seddon, Renwick, Spring Creek and Picton. The outlets included supermarkets, convenience stores and bottle stores.

There were no sales from the 20 premises visited.

Senior Sergeant Naera Parata said the result was extremely pleasing.

"All the premises followed the appropriate protocols in requesting identification from the young person and when they didn't produce any, the sale was refused."

Police congratulated all licensees, managers and staff for their application of this system to prevent young people purchasing alcohol.

This is the second time an operation has successfully failed to make a sale with the last being in May 2007.

Under the Sale of Liquor Act persons selling to minors were liable to a $2000 fine and the licence holder a $10000 fine. In addition to that the licence could be suspended or cancelled.

Police reiterate that this is an ongoing operation and hope that the systems displayed preventing alcohol sales to minors will remain robust and mandatory.