42% DROP IN PROSECUTIONS FOR SELLING ALCOHOL TO CHILDREN - BURT

5.04.04pm GMT Mon 16th Mar 2009

The number of people being prosecuted for selling alcohol to children has dropped by 42% over the last year, while the numbers given a penalty notice have risen hugely, according to figures revealed by the Liberal Democrats.

The information, contained in a Parliamentary answer, shows that:

The number of people issued with penalty notices has risen by 74% over 3 years

The total number of people caught selling alcohol to children has increased by 36% over the last three years, with 12 people now caught every day.

The chances of being prosecuted have halved with only 1 in 6 people ending up in court, down from 1 in 3 in 2005

The maximum fine for selling alcohol to children is £5,000 but the average amount currently imposed is only £369

Commenting, Solihull's MP, Lorely Burt said:

"The pattern in the West Midlands is similar with nearly 25% less convictions and a corresponding rise in fixed penalty notices over three years.

"The Government continues to turn a blind eye to the horrendous problems that excessive alcohol consumption is creating in our society.

"Yet again ministers have been spending their time competing with the Tories to sound tough rather than trying to effectively tackle the problem of underage drinking.

"The Government said it would crack down on this problem but instead offenders are barely even getting a slap on the wrist.

"It's hardly surprising that so many parents are failing to stop children getting their hands on alcohol when unscrupulous shopkeepers have so little to fear from breaking the law.

"The Government needs to make sure that anyone caught selling alcohol to children should expect to lose their licence."