kent-Englandengland/”>Kent Police’s licensing team is on a mission to stop shops flogging alcohol to underage kids. Over the last year, seven premises lost their licences for Sellingselling booze, including Beerbeer and vodka, to minors—some of whom ended up in hospital.
Locations Hit Hard and Warnings Issued
Two shops in Deal, two in Dover, plus others in Canterbury, Herne Bay, and New Romney have felt the hammer. Meanwhile, numerous businesses received stern warnings, with Maidstone alone seeing 11 shops under the spotlight.
Zero Tolerance for Rule-Breakers
Licensing Sergeant Pete Ballard made it clear: “Having a licence to sell alcohol is a big responsibility, and most shopkeepers take it seriously. But some still let kids buy booze, leading to serious health risks and downright brazen breaches.”
“One shopkeeper even led a child outside to complete a sale, while another hid vodka for a minor to collect later. We act fast in such cases—serious offenders can lose their licence and be shut down.”
He added, “We won’t tolerate businesses that put profit above the community’s safety. Our team stays tough, working closely with partners to keep licensed premises honest.”
Top Tips for Shopkeepers to Stay on the Right Side of the Law
- Always use a ‘Challenge 25’ policy and ask for ID if the buyer looks under 25, not just 18.
- Only accept valid ID like passports or driving licences.
- You can refuse a sale even if ID is shown—if you’re not satisfied, don’t sell.
- Regularly train your staff on age-restricted sales rules.
- Watch out for adults buying alcohol for minors—refuse these sales.
- Display clear signs stating it’s illegal to sell alcohol to under-18s and that proof of ID will be checked.
Read more from Canterbury.
