Bar owner hits back at fake IDs

A bar owner is hitting back against underage drinkers trying to use forged IDs.
Dion Cooper, from Havelock North's Turks Bar, said door staff had intercepted fake licences and passports, as well as identifying young people using someone else's identification.
The ongoing problem escalated at this time of year as teenagers finished school. "A lot of 17-year-olds, their friends have become 18 so they want to join the party as well," he said.
Mr Cooper said most fakes could be spotted by vigilant door staff, but some were very sophisticated.
"There are some very good forgeries out there. Sometimes they do get through."
Mr Cooper said fake IDs were also available over the internet for as little as $45.
Hawke's Bay Today found an internet site offering to make fake New Zealand drivers licences for $100.
Underage girls were more likely to try to fool bar staff using someone else's ID, Mr Cooper said.
He confiscated four last week that didn't belong to the person using them.
"As bar owners, we're doing our best to keep these youths out of our bar, but it is a battle, because they're going to walk over broken glass to get in."
He said some believed the worst that could happen was being turned away.
But he wanted to make clear every minor who tried to enter his bar using fake or borrowed ID would be prosecuted.
"We either ring the police and they're arrested on the spot, or they give us details and the police follow up on that."
About 40 young people have appeared in court in Hastings this year on charges relating to false ID.
Most were using ID belonging to someone else, while about 10 had used forged licences, 18 plus cards or passports.
Having a fake licence or passport is a crime, even if it's not presented, said Hastings police constable Simon Pain.
"Just having it or making it is fraud. If you use it, that's another offence."
He said going to court was devastating for the young people and their families.
Many had never been in trouble before.
"It sends shockwaves through the families, without a doubt."
Police followed up every instance reported to them and took appropriate court action," Mr Pain said.
Using another person's ID is an offence and carries a maximum penalty of a $2000 fine.
Making or using a fake identification is forgery, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
Altering a passport is also an offence under the Passports Act.
Hospitality Association of New Zealand chief executive Bruce Robertson said the Alcohol Reform Bill currently before Parliament would toughen the laws around using false or forged ID, and make it easier for police to prosecute.
"We certainly welcome that because at the moment all the responsibility is on the bar owner," he said.
Mr Robertson said the quality of forgeries ranged from "pretty obvious to quite sophisticated".
"Certainly all bar owners have to continue to be vigilant to ensure they're not letting people in that shouldn't be inside."