Tesco to challenge alcohol purchasers who look under 25

Shoppers buying alcohol in Tesco will have to prove their age if they look under 25. The move follows a landmark prosecution under new laws designed to stop the sale of alcohol to children.

A test case brought by trading standards chiefs in Blackpool saw Tesco fined £6,000, under an amendment to the Licensing Act, for selling alcohol to a 16-year-old three times in two months.

The Blackpool case surrounds a sting operation by trading standards officers in the town. Alcohol was sold to a 16-year-old on three occasions in October and November last year. The prosecution was brought under the Licensing Act, as amended by the Violent Crime Reduction Act of April 2007.

Tesco's barrister, Paddy Whur told the court that the case was instrumental in the supermarket moving to a system where it challenges people who look under 25 to prove their age when buying drink. He said: 'This is the first prosecution of its type... The company has operated a challenge 21 policy but now as a result of this prosecution, from May Tesco will roll out a challenge 25 policy nationally.'

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