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Retail response to a survey by Bond Pearce, showing that underage drinkers attempt to buy alcohol by every five seconds in the UK.
Responding to survey, British Retail Consortium Director general, Kevin Hawkins, said: "The results of the Bond Pearce survey clearly highlight the problems retailers face with under 18s trying to buy alcohol and the huge efforts they are making to try and stop it.
"BRC members take their responsibilities on preventing underage sales very seriously and recently welcomed the introduction of £50 on the spot fines for under 18s attempting to buy alcohol, which rightly puts part of the responsibility onto the purchaser. But retailers still need more support from the Government to tackle this.
"Retailers have always backed the principle of ‘No ID, No Sale’ as the message is very clear to both the retailer and the customer. However, ID cards need to be produced and accepted with confidence, which is why the BRC with support from the Home Office and other trade associations created PASS (Proof of Age Standards Scheme). Retailers should instantly know that any ID card carrying the PASS hologram is genuine and from September 2005 they will be enforcing the message of ‘No PASS No Sale’.
"Over one million people currently hold PASS cards, but the BRC need more support from the Government to communicate the benefits of PASS to retailers, publicans, cinematographers, young people and the police."
