Ten stores face losing their liquor licences after weekend sting

Ten Auckland City bottle shop and bars could face the loss of their licenses following a sting last weekend where minors aged between 13 and 17 attempted to buy alcohol without ID.

In all, 109 premises were visited and ten sold alcohol to the minors. The majority of six sales were in western suburbs of Auckland City.

Liquor Licensing Coordinator Sergeant Bryce Law says two of the premises have been before the Liquor Licensing Authority twice before. He says the breaches will be presented to the authority with a request for suspensions or cancellations of certificates. Mr Law says selling liquor is a responsibility, not a right.

Mr Law says overall the results of the sting were pleasing, as the rates of refusal are increasing. However he says it appears there is a hardened group of licensees/managers who do not care about the problems alcohol abuse causes to the community.

- NEWSTALK ZB