Latest Controlled Purchase Operation brings an excellent result.

Northland DHB and NZ Police staff who this week conducted two Controlled Purchase Operations at licensed premises throughout Northland are very pleased with the result.

During the two operations, the underage volunteers aged 16 years attempted to purchase alcohol from licensed premises throughout the Far North and Kaipara areas. The operations resulted in NO sales from the 32 outlets tested by the enforcement agencies.

Sergeant Howard Clement, Alcohol Harm Reduction Officer, Whangarei Police said, “The result was very pleasing. It is a much improved result from the last operation carried out in the Kaipara which resulted in two sales. It would appear that the 17 Off-licensed premises tested have appropriate systems in place to prevent a sale of alcohol to minors which is great.”

Senior Constable Graeme Wright, Alcohol Harm Reduction Officer, Kerikeri Police added, “This is another excellent result from the 15 premises tested. The focus of these operations were to target youth getting access to alcohol during the school holiday period. The licensed premises tested had very good systems in place and asked for identification on every occasion.

In the last twelve months, only one licensed premises in the Mid and Far North region has sold alcohol to our young people. I am very encouraged by this. It demonstrates that our off-licensed premises are responsible holders of a liquor license and therefore protecting the young people in the communities they operate in.”

Controlled Purchase Operations (CPOs) are part of an ongoing programme to assess compliance with the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 in an effort to address access to alcohol by minors.

April 2016 Northland Operation statistics:

Off Licensed premises: 32 premises resulted in NO SALES

2015 Controlled Purchase Operation Statistics – Kaipara

Feb 2015 15 Attempts – No Sales

Sep 2015 8 Attempts – 2 Sales

Apr 2016 17 Attempts – NO SALES

2015 Controlled Purchase Operation Statistics – Far North

Apr 2015 10 Attempts – NO SALES

Jun 2015 10 Attempts – NO SALES

Oct 2015 15 Attempts – NO SALES

Dec 2015 18 Attempts – 1 Sale

Feb 2016 12 Attempts – NO SALES

Apr 2016 15 Attempts – NO SALES

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