A TEAM from South Cotswolds Safer Community have recently carried out a series of test purchases of alcohol around Cirencester and neighbouring villages to gauge the level of selling licensed goods to underage customers.

This followed a similar test purchase exercise on 4 December when each of the four premises that were tested failed.

The penalties for failing a test can include a fine of up to £5,000, prosecution and revocation of the premise’s licence to sell alcohol.

The ‘test purchase’ operation, on 23 January, involved an under-age person entering each store and attempting to buy alcohol.

The child, who had just turned sixteen, entered the venues that were being tested accompanied by two officers in plain clothes, who observed the child's attempt to buy alcohol.

The test purchaser is always careful not to lie about their age and do not produce any ID if asked.

Eight locations were tested with two of these failing. In these two venues the offending member of staff was interviewed and issued with a £90 penalty notice.

Of the four that failed in December: Colesbourne Filling Station, Golden Farm Pub and The Brewers Arms Cirencester, and The George, South Cerney, two were re-tested this time round with both passing.

The venues are as follows –

Beeches Stores, Cirencester - Pass

The Golden Farm PH, Cirencester - Pass

The Tunnel House PH, Coates - Fail

The Riverside PH, Lechlade - Pass

The New Inn, Lechlade - Fail

The Eight Bells PH, Fairford - Pass

The Marlborough Arms, Fairford - Pass

The Brewers Arms, Cirencester - Pass

Police Sergeant Garrett Gloyn of South Cotswolds Safer Community Team said: "I will be writing to the landlords at each of the venues that passed and thanking them for their diligence.

"Stores that sell alcohol have clear duties under the Licensing Act. Where stores failed, I will also be in touch with the relevant landlords to hear their strategy to rectify the situation.

"If they don’t improve their record they could lose their licence to sell Alcohol.”