South Ayrshire Council News

Fiona Docherty, South Ayrshire Council and Sgt Alister Kelly, Licensing Sergeant are pictured with a range of fake identification cards.

Over 40 fake and tampered Identification cards have been retained by local pubs and clubs in the last few months, after Licensees, working together with Strathclyde Police and South Ayrshire Council cracked down on the use of fake ID to gain access to licensed premises.

Any young person under 18 attempting to gain entry and access to alcohol using a fake ID, using another person's card, or using a card which has been tampered with may be committing a common law fraud, as well as possibly committing offences under the new Licensing Act. This can also put at risk the livelihood of honest licensees who may unwittingly sell alcohol to an underage person.

Andy Wilson from Club De Mar said: "We are more than happy to get involved in the campaign and feel that we are certainly doing our bit by taking the fake cards from young people – preventing their attempts to get into our premises or any other."

South Ayrshire Council's Trading Standards Officers have been heavily involved in providing advice and training in relation to age related sales to licensees and retailers who are urged to implement a 'no proof – no sale' policy. The advice is to accept only PASS approved proof of age cards like the Young Scot card, passports or photo driving licences. The PASS symbol is a sign of the national guarantee scheme for proof of age cards and is a hallmark indicating that the card issuer has passed a stringent and rigorous audit process.

Councillor Peter Convery, who is responsible for Trading Standards issues said: "It is concerning that young people are attempting to access licensed premises using such means. We commend the vigilance of licensees who spotted the fake IDs and deny underage people access to licensed premises. In South Ayrshire, young people are issued with a Young Scot card free of charge when they reach secondary education. The card is a recognisable proof of age card throughout Scotland as it is a PASS approved mark of security. We would encourage sellers of age related products to look for the PASS hologram in proof of age cards."

Councillor Douglas Campbell, Chair of the Licensing Board added: "Working in a joint venture in such a positive way will help protect and assist the licence trade in relation to the measures they take to ensure the new licensing objectives are being met, particularly that of protecting young people from harm and preventing crime and disorder."

For information on PASS approved proof of age cards and how to obtain one, you can contact the Trading Standards Advice Centre at 5-7 River Terrace, Ayr or call Ayr 616060.