PUBS FACE UNDER-AGE DRINKING TEST

The police have been targeting licensed premises that sell alcohol to underage children.

Specific licensed premises in Seaford, Newhaven and Peacehaven that had previously been reported for selling alcohol to underage children were visited again.

The intention this time was that if any licensed premises failed a second time, Lewes District Council's licensing department would work with Sussex Police and invoke revocation procedures against them. In addition they would also be named and shamed.

For Lewes Town, this was a first visit and the purpose was to investigate and gather intelligence about premises that had been brought to the attention of the police for allegedly selling alcohol to underage children.

In all, 14 licensed premises were tested across the district.

Two pubs and one off-licence in Lewes failed for the first time with Fixed Penalty Notices being issued to all three premises and details passed to Lewes District Council as the Licensing Authority.

In Seahaven all the licensed premises that were visited for a second time passed the test and no alcohol was served.

A test purchase involves a young person, usually a police cadet, going to a licensed premises and attempting to buy alcohol without identification. If a licensee sells alcohol, supporting plain clothed police officers will deal with any offences on the spot.