Controlled Purchase Operation brings encouraging results

A Controlled Purchase Operation (CPO) was conducted by Northland Police and Northland District Health Board over the weekend. The operation audited 16 Off-Licensed premises in the eastern beach locations from Oakura in the north to Waipu in the south.

The operation involves under 18 year olds attempting to purchase alcohol from off licenced premises. These operations are part of an ongoing programme to assess compliance with the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 in an effort to address minors accessing alcohol.

The operation resulted in no sales to the underage personnel. The Whangarei Alcohol Monitoring Group is extremely encouraged with this result.

“This is a very positive result. We are very pleased to find that licensed premises are checking for identification. Our Off-Licensed premises need to be acknowledged for their vigilance and having good training systems in place to prevent sales to young people.

This result shows our off-licensed premises are responsible holders of a liquor licence and protecting our young people in the communities they operate in,” said Sergeant Howard Clement, Alcohol Harm Reduction Officer, Whangarei Police.

However at this time of the year, we still hear about young people accessing alcohol and the issues this causes. It is timely that we remind the public that it is also illegal to supply alcohol to anyone under 18 years of age unless:

• The person supplying the alcohol is the parent or legal guardian and the alcohol is supplied in a responsible manner

• The person supplying alcohol has the express consent of the parent or legal guardian and the alcohol is supplied in a “responsible manner”.

A “responsible manner” means that there is close supervision, the provision of food and a choice of low-alcohol and/or non-alcoholic drinks and safe transport options are in place.

2014 Controlled Purchase Operation Statistics – Whangarei

Feb 14 14 Attempts – 1 Sale

Jun 14 17 Attempts – 2 Sales

Aug 14 16 Attempts – No Sales

Dec 14 16 Attempts – No Sales

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