News

Police plan to recruit teenagers for pub sting operations

The alcohol test purchasing scheme has been suspended for several years. Picture by Hugh Russell
The alcohol test purchasing scheme has been suspended for several years. Picture by Hugh Russell The alcohol test purchasing scheme has been suspended for several years. Picture by Hugh Russell

THE PSNI plans to re-introduce controversial sting operations where teenagers test whether pubs and off-licences will sell them alcohol.

Police shelved the alcohol test purchasing scheme four years ago following concerns from youth organisations about the welfare of children involved.

But documents uncovered by The Irish News reveal that officers now plan to relaunch the operation in a bid to combat underage drinking.

The development comes amid heightened concerns over binge-drinking among young people following disturbances in Belfast's Holylands area on St Patrick's Day.

An officer was injured when bottles were thrown at police as hundreds gathered in the mainly student area. Eleven people were arrested in the Holylands and city centre over the holiday.

Among the revellers in the Holylands were intoxicated girls thought to be as young as 13.

The test purchasing scheme recruits volunteers aged between 15 and 17 who approach licensed premises.

The operation was briefly used until March 2012 before being suspended. In its few short months, three licensed premises were caught selling alcohol to minors.

Selling alcohol to minors can result in a fine of up to £5,000 and six months in prison. Similar initiatives are widely used by other authorities in the Republic and Britain.

The PSNI carried out an equality impact assessment in a bid to address concerns over the scheme.

Documents show police have now drawn up an 'action plan' that includes finalising a date to re-introduce the operation.

It is understood the plan is due to be considered in the coming weeks.

A proposal document reads: "Not using test purchasing will leave the organisation open to severe criticism from others especially those organisations that are trying to address the problem of underage drinking."

The PSNI acknowledged that the sting operations are "very resource intensive" and "do not necessarily deliver any better results than the other tactics that are available".

It said a test purchase operation involving one child at an off-licence requires a minimum of seven officers.

But it added: "We have obligations to prevent harm and therefore are keen to have all tactical options necessary to prevent harm and protect life."

The move was met on Friday night with concern from youth organisations who called on police to find other means of tackling underage drinking.

Koulla Yiasouma, the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People, said the scheme puts young people in a "vulnerable position and is not in their best interests".

"While we recognise that alcohol use by underage young people is an issue, we are not aware of any evidence that they are buying alcohol directly from retailers," she said.

"We also have concerns for the safety of the young people who would participate in the scheme. We acknowledge the PSNI have measures in place to address safety, but we believe it still puts a young person in a vulnerable position and is not in their best interests.

"Test purchasing operations will not in my view address young people's access to alcohol. We urge that more effective methods continue to be employed."

Paddy Mooney, director of Include Youth said warned that the scheme could "put young people at risk".

"Include Youth continue to have significant concerns about children's rights and child protection issues with regards to the use of children in a test purchasing scheme," he said.

"While the PSNI have made some changes to the proposed system in response to safety concerns raised, we remain opposed to the scheme.

"We believe that the potential risks outweigh the potential benefits and that it is beholden on the PSNI to find other means to tackle this issue which does not put young people at risk."

On Friday night a PSNI spokesman said: "An action plan for the re-commencement of the test purchasing of alcohol has been prepared for consideration."

Last year The Irish News revealed police figures show officers are confiscating alcohol from children at a rate of more than one bottle or can every hour.