Sobering fines for under-age booze sellers

STAFF at two off-licences are paying the price for selling alcohol to youngsters in Oldham’s crackdown on drunken louts.

A member of staff from both Hollins Road Off-Licence, Hollinwood, and Ziggy’s, in Propps Hall Drive, Failsworth, have been issued with £80 fines after serving a 15-year-old booze without asking for any identification.

Officers from the Failsworth and Hollinwood Neighbourhood Policing Team issued the fixed penalty notices as part of a crackdown on anti-social behaviour and underage drinking.

PC Andy Pickering said: “By carrying out this operation we are demonstrating that we are determined to stamp out underage drinking and the anti-social behaviour that goes with it.

“The fixed penalty notice should be a reminder to anyone with responsibility of serving alcohol, that selling to underage children is illegal and irresponsible and it isn’t worth your hard earned wages.

“We also want to remind the public that they face the same punishment if they buy alcohol for an underage teenager. Don’t be persuaded to break the law.”

The action follows a crackdown on drunken behaviour in the town centre with Oldham Council’s trading standards department carrying a review of 22 pubs and clubs.

Restrictions proposed include a strict queuing system, a limit on how many drinks people can buy at any one time, extra door staff and money from pubs and clubs to fund extra police officers.

It comes after Brownz, in Yorkshire Street, was temporarily closed last week following an emergency review after three people were stabbed outside the club in the early hours.

To report incidents call police on 0161-872 5050 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.