Six of eight South Taranaki businesses fail alcohol compliance checks

Police performed a controlled purchase operation in July to check the sale of alcohol to minors in South Taranaki. Photo / 123rf

Six of eight premises have failed alcohol compliance checks in South Taranaki.

Police performed a controlled purchase operation (CPO) in July to check the sale of alcohol to minors in the district.

CPOs are planned operations that monitor and enforce the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 by using supervised volunteers, aged under 18, to attempt to buy alcohol from licensed premises.

The July operation was a collaboration between police, Te Whatu Ora, South Taranaki District Council and two supervised volunteers.

“Only two premises requested identification, correctly identified the age of the minor and politely declined the sale,” South Taranaki area response manager Senior Sergeant Andrew Russ said.

“To see even one breach is disappointing, but six is so much more concerning.

“The breach of alcohol sale laws can be dangerous, especially for minors who are at an increased risk of alcohol-related harm.”

Inquiries into the operation are ongoing. Police have spoken to the operators of the premises that failed and will follow up about outcomes.

“Breaching alcohol sale laws is a serious offence and a premises or business can receive heavy fines and/or suspension of their liquor licence and manager’s certificate,” Russ said.

According to the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012, a licensee or manager of any licensed premises who sells or supplies alcohol to a minor can receive a fine of not more than $10,000 and/or the suspension of the licensee’s licence for not more than seven days.

Police did not name the outlets that were part of the operation or their location in the district.

“Alcohol harm is a widespread problem that police deal with day-to-day, and is known to contribute to serious incidents within our community,” Russ said.

“Police will continue to conduct compliance checks, controlled purchase operations and target hotspots – and this includes large events and late-night venues.”

Olivia Reid is a multimedia journalist based in Whanganui.