Published: August 1st, 2007
Exclusive: Study finds many Burnham pubs and off licences flouting law

An undercover operation by Trading Standards and police officers in Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge has found a disturbing number of pubs and off licences in the town are willing to sell alcohol to youngsters.

Burnham-On-Sea.com learns that officials launched a secret study last week to establish which businesses are ignoring licensing laws.

Somerset County Council spokeswoman Jan Hookings said: "We visited five pubs and found that four were willing to illegally sell drink to the underage volunteer in our study."

"The situation was better with off licences, where a seperate undercover study found just one of the seven off licences wdere willing to sell drink to children."

The study comes amid growing concern that alcohol being served to youngsters is responsible for some petty crime and vandalism in Burnham and Highbridge.

Inspector Dale Baker from Burnham Police Station said: "It was pleasing that the majority of off licences were careful and would not sell if in doubt about a potential purchaser's age."

"It is of great concern that the pubs, with the exception of JD Wetherspoon's, all allowed alcoholic purchases to be made."

"Whilst Burnham and Highbridge is a relatively low crime area with a good quality of life, most of the calls that we get involving young people engaged in petty crime or anti social behaviour have alcohol at the root of them."

"I would appeal to all licensees that in the case of anyone looking under the age of 21, they require documentary proof that the person is 18 before allowing an alcohol purchase."

Inspector Mike Ashwin from the STARC initiative said: "This problem is not confined to Burnham and a number of initiatives are happening across Somerset to prevent youngsters gaining access to alcohol."

"These include increased patrols and anti social behaviour being filmed for prosecution purposes, and being used to play back to parents or guardians."

"Parents and guardians have a pivotal role to play in stopping their children coming to harm."