As Christmas fast approaches, one police force has found a novel, if tricky way to try and catch licensees serving alcohol to those already drunk. We investigate.
The Publican reported a few weeks ago on a campaign run by North Wales Police and trading standards officers where actors pretending to be drunk were used to try and catch licensees and their staff out. It is reported the actors wore stained clothes and were asked to “act wobbly on their feet”. They were also told to inform staff they were drunk.
Unfortunately, 42 of the 49 premises visited by these actors in Conwy and Denbighshire sold alcohol to them. Of course, the police and trading standards could take no action over these sales as the actors were not in fact drunk. So the enforcement authorities revisited 25 premises they identified as “at risk” and in 11 of those premises, found staff who served customers who were genuinely drunk.
Chief Inspector Andrew Williams is quoted as saying:
I make no apologies for this tactic and it will be used again. The emphasis with this operation, in the main, was one of education and support, and the agencies will be working with licensees in this regard. However, some breaches were so appalling and repetitive that formal action will be taken in small number of cases.
A number of premises caught selling to genuine drunks will face a review of their premises licence.
Many licensees feel this type of “sting” is entrapment. This cannot be the case unless formal action is taken concerning the sales to the drunk actors (such as licence review). On this occasion, it appears the police have got it right in using the stings to educate and support licensees whilst leaving any formal action only to those who were caught serving people actually drunk.
Since this sting appears to have been quite successful, it is possible other police forces and trading standards departments might also use the tactic in the future. Licensees should be on the guard, particularly over the busy Christmas and New Year period.
What do you think? Is this kind of sting entrapment? Is it a good use of police resources? Please leave your comments below.
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