Alcohol Help

Shops and off-licences which sell alcohol to under-age customers have been warned that they are putting their licences at risk.

The warning follows a recent 28 day suspension of the licence for Greens Convenience Store in Lodge Lane for selling drink to a 16-year-old girl in a test purchase.

The city council’s licensing committee also imposed extra conditions on the shop’s licence to say that alcohol should only be sold by the designated premises supervisor or a personal licence holder; staff should have regular training on the proof of age scheme and staff had to be trained in making meaningful ID checks.

Subsequent checks have shown that the shop has since complied with the terms of its licence.

Councillor Christine Banks, licensing committee chair, said: “Selling alcohol to underage customers is something we are determined to crack down on.

“It causes a lot of concern to residents as well as being potentially very harmful to young people.

“Shop and off licence owners and managers need to be aware of their responsibilities and ensure that all staff carry them out. Training is available on these issues and there is no excuse for selling drink to the under18s.

“Our alcohol and tobacco unit keep a close watch on these issue and we will have no hesitation in suspending or even revoking the licence of those irresponsible premises who make these illegal sales. Any who have had their licence suspended can be sure that it will be revoked if there is a second offence.”

Liverpool City Council

Liverpool Town Hall
High St
Liverpool
L2 3SW

A health warning has been issued about industrial alcohol being sold in Liverpool as vodka.

The city council’s Alcohol and Tobacco Unit (ATU) were alerted to the problem by a resident in Broadgreen who bought a bottle of vodka from a person they met while shopping in a city market.

They were concerned about its taste and brought it to the Unit’s attention.

Analysis of the “vodka” showed it contained denatured or industrial alcohol and was unfit for human consumption. It had an incorrect alcohol by volume (ABV) on its label

The vodka was in a one litre bottle and was labelled Revolution. The reverse of its label implied that it was an Aldi product. Neither the Revolution chain of bars nor Aldi supermarkets have any connection with this product.

“This is not only an illegal trade but potentially a very dangerous one, “ said Councillor Tim Moore, cabinet member for the environment and climate change. “It could seriously damage the health of any one drinking it,

“There are reports from other parts of the country of people’s eyesight being damaged after they have drunk similar types of alcohol.

“While we do not believe that it is circulating widely in the city as yet, we are issuing this warning as we do not want anyone at all to risk their health by buying this product. Residents should not buy alcohol from unlicensed sources.”

ATU are working with off licences to ensure that anyone distributing the product in Liverpool is identified.

Residents or traders have been offered quantities of this or similar spirits please call Gary Baskott, Liverpool Alcohol Tobacco Unit on 0151 225 2501 or ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111

Liverpool City Council
Liverpool Town Hall
High St
Liverpool
L2 3SW

Liverpool’s pioneering unit which has led the fight against illegal alcohol and tobacco is to continue.

The Alcohol and Tobacco Unit (ATU) was set up the city council’s trading standards services in 2008 with Liverpool PCT providing funding for three years.

Now the PCT has provided the £400,000 funding necessary for the unit to continue operating until 2013.

Since it was set up, the Alcohol and Tobacco unit has had a real impact in cutting the amount of illicit alcohol and tobacco in the city and cutting sales to young people. In fact the amount seized is triple the original investment made by Liverpool PCT.

Among its achievements are:

Working with partners including Merseyside Police and PCT Health workers the ATU has carried out almost 1,000 alcohol and tobacco test purchases using volunteers. All premises are targeted as a result of complaints from residents and action has been taken over 173 illegal underage sales.
A wide range of action has been taken against those who sell to under age children, and those who sell illicit alcohol and tobacco. This includes prosecutions, licence reviews, orders to cease selling cigarettes in problem premises, 48 hour closure orders, training and action plans
A joint operation with HMRC saw illegal tobacco with a value of £1.4m seized
Quantities of illicit counterfeit and smuggled alcohol and tobacco with a combined street value of more than £2,000,000 has been seized from over 200 premises across the city.

Councillor Tim Moore, cabinet member for the environment and climate change, said: “We are delighted that the PCT has contributed the funding which will enable this unit to carry on its vital work.

“It has been one of the big success stories of the last few years and has played a significant role in protecting young people and the wider community. Its work protects the health of individuals and has helped cut crime and disorder.

“And it has also helped legitimate businesses whose trade is hit by illegal alcohol and tobacco especially during these very challenging times for traders.”

Dr Paula Grey, Director of Public Health for Liverpool said: “Since it became operational the Alcohol and Tobacco Unit has made a positive contribution to reducing the amount of counterfeit and smuggled tobacco and alcohol in our local communities.

“Counterfeit cigarettes often do not carry warning health messages and are more dangerous because they contain higher levels of tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide than genuine brands. Similarly counterfeit alcohol often contains ingredients which can lead to health problems.

“These products are often widely available to young people as well. Enabling the Unit to continue its work until 2013 means we can not only prevent many more young people from forming a potentially life-endangering habit but it send out a clear and stern warning to those who may be tempted to break the law in this way.”

Liverpool City Council, Municipal Buildings, Dale Street, L2 2DH