Alcohol sold to girl, 15

A CHADDERTON shop keeper must stick to strict rules after he was caught selling alcohol to an underage girl.

Oldham Trading Standards officers conducted a test purchase at Patel’s, in Kent Avenue, on the Crossley estate, on November 12, last year. A 15-year-old girl was sold four cans of Guinness at 6.20pm.

Oldham Council’s Licensing Panel ruled that owner Vish Patel can continue to sell alcohol providing he ensures the shop’s CCTV system is in good working order at all times.

He must also adopt and promote the Challenge 25 policy, which states that customers will be asked for ID if they look under 25, and he must complete a course on ways to tackle attempted underage purchases.

PC Ian Hope, neighbourhood beat officer for Chadderton Central, told the panel that he had spoken to underage teenagers on the Crossley estate who said they had been able to buy alcohol at Patel’s.

He said that Patel’s was a major worry for police and, in his opinion, contributed to anti-social behaviour on the estate.

Mr Patel told the panel that he had a good relationship with PCSOs in the area and that his refusals book, a log which documents every attempted underage purchase, was up to date.

He said that his customer base was mainly made up of unemployed people or elderly residents, most of whom don’t have a car and rely on the shop for groceries.

Since Mr Patel took over the shop in March, 2008, trading standards officers have carried out three test purchases and the most recent one was the only time a sale was allowed.

Councillor Val Sedgwick, chairman of the licensing panel, said: “We are very concerned about any issue relating to crime and disorder and anything that poses a danger to children in the borough.

“But we have noted that Mr Patel attempts to promote safety with CCTV and his partnership with local PCSOs.

“He has had no previous warnings and has not appeared before this panel before so as long as he sticks to the conditions we have set out his licence can remain in place.”