Trading standards draw a blank on under-age alcohol selling
Thursday, 17th June 2010.
The best efforts of trading standards officers have not managed to catch anyone in Haverhill selling alcohol to people under age.
But because officers still feel it must be going on, they are asking for more information from local people to act upon.
Assistant trading standards officer with Suffolk County Council Graham Crisp reported to Haverhill Partnership this morning on work they had been doing recently in Haverhill.
He told members that in 2008-9 they had carried out seven tests in Haverhill as a result of reports - tests which involve volunteer children attempting to buy alcohol.
On no occasion did they manage to achieve a purchase. Over the past year they had had no reports from the public on which to act.
Trading standards work in partnership with the police, particularly over reports of anti-social behaviour which may be caused by under-age drinking.
However, haverhill county councillor Tim Marks told Mr Crisp the main problem in Haverhill recently had been so-called 'proxy selling', when an adult bought alcohol for youngsters.
This had resulted in groups of teenagers gathering outside off-licenced stores or supermarkets and trying to get members of the public to buy drink for them.
One of the priorities in force this month for Haverhill Safer Neighbourhood Team is to deal with one such problem at the Londis store on the Clements estate.
Mr Crisp reminded mebers that any adult who bought alcohol for someone under age was committing a criminal offence.
"We know this is happening a lot across the county," he said. Officers were working very closely with police to try to reduce the problem.
Mr Crisp said trading standards were also keen to introduce 'No Cold Calling' zones in a variety of areas, because one of their biggest problems was itinerant traders.
"These are not just Arthur Daley types, but quite serious criminals," he said.
Again, they had no reports from Haverhill, but as these traders were operating all over Suffolk there was no reason to think Haverhill was any different.
But members told him the only cold callers they had recently had were rather aggressive salesmen from Eon and British Gas trying to get them to switch energy suppliers.
Chris Hare, of Suffolk Fire Service, said when they carried out safety assessments for people they always asked about cold callers, and very few had had any recently.
Many struggled to remember the last time they had seen one.
Finally Mr Crisp urged anyone with any knowledge of loan sharks to report them straightaway.
"They are the scourge of the community," he said, "and they are increasing with the economic downturn. They thrive on fear and aggression and they can be life-destroying.
"If you have any suspicions of anyone, it is imperative that you let us know."
The Suffolk trading standards number to call is 01473 264859.
But because officers still feel it must be going on, they are asking for more information from local people to act upon.
Assistant trading standards officer with Suffolk County Council Graham Crisp reported to Haverhill Partnership this morning on work they had been doing recently in Haverhill.
He told members that in 2008-9 they had carried out seven tests in Haverhill as a result of reports - tests which involve volunteer children attempting to buy alcohol.
On no occasion did they manage to achieve a purchase. Over the past year they had had no reports from the public on which to act.
Trading standards work in partnership with the police, particularly over reports of anti-social behaviour which may be caused by under-age drinking.
However, haverhill county councillor Tim Marks told Mr Crisp the main problem in Haverhill recently had been so-called 'proxy selling', when an adult bought alcohol for youngsters.
This had resulted in groups of teenagers gathering outside off-licenced stores or supermarkets and trying to get members of the public to buy drink for them.
One of the priorities in force this month for Haverhill Safer Neighbourhood Team is to deal with one such problem at the Londis store on the Clements estate.
Mr Crisp reminded mebers that any adult who bought alcohol for someone under age was committing a criminal offence.
"We know this is happening a lot across the county," he said. Officers were working very closely with police to try to reduce the problem.
Mr Crisp said trading standards were also keen to introduce 'No Cold Calling' zones in a variety of areas, because one of their biggest problems was itinerant traders.
"These are not just Arthur Daley types, but quite serious criminals," he said.
Again, they had no reports from Haverhill, but as these traders were operating all over Suffolk there was no reason to think Haverhill was any different.
But members told him the only cold callers they had recently had were rather aggressive salesmen from Eon and British Gas trying to get them to switch energy suppliers.
Chris Hare, of Suffolk Fire Service, said when they carried out safety assessments for people they always asked about cold callers, and very few had had any recently.
Many struggled to remember the last time they had seen one.
Finally Mr Crisp urged anyone with any knowledge of loan sharks to report them straightaway.
"They are the scourge of the community," he said, "and they are increasing with the economic downturn. They thrive on fear and aggression and they can be life-destroying.
"If you have any suspicions of anyone, it is imperative that you let us know."
The Suffolk trading standards number to call is 01473 264859.
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