Two strikes underage pub rule in at end of Jan
Wednesday 13th January at 4:59 pm
Councillors and licensing officers can also instigate licence reviews themselves, rather than wait for local people or police to raise concerns, from this date.
The “two strikes and you’re out” rule on underage alcohol sales will come in to force on 29 January, the Government has confirmed.
Under the two-strikes rule, licensees face fines of up to £10,000 and three-month licence suspensions for selling alcohol to under-18s twice in three months. A three-strikes rule has existed since 2007.
In response to an MP’s question in Parliament, Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker said commencement of these changes under the 2009 Policing and Crime Act would occur on Friday 29 January.
There will also be new powers to confiscate alcohol from under-18s and to disperse young people. And a new offence of persistently possessing alcohol in public by under-18s will also be created.
Coaker added: “We are currently developing the guidance on the young people provisions and the licensing authorities as interested parties provisions, so that the police, local authorities and youth services are aware of the new powers, how they work and fit together.
“The guidance will be ready by the end of January.”
Story By: John Harrington
