MPs fail Usdaw's spot the underage drinker test

MPs from across the UK failed to spot a potential underage drinker in a unique test to show how difficult it is for retail staff to identify teenage lawbreakers without proper ID.

Six teenagers mingled with MPs who were asked to guess their age and only 5% of the MPs' guesses were correct with nearly half failing to spot that 17 year old Sachin was actually too young to buy alcohol.

The test was mounted by retail union Usdaw in support of its campaign for the government to enforce a culture of 'No ID, No Sale' posters in stores across the UK in an effort to reduce the 20,000 physical assaults on shop staff every year.

An Usdaw survey of over 600 shopworkers found that asking for ID or refusing an illegal sale was the major trigger for terrifying incidents of verbal abuse, intimidation and vicious assaults in stores. Store workers are also expected to routinely deal with age restrictions on a wide variety of potentially lethal goods including alcohol, solvents, knives and fireworks.

"This test was intended to make MPs see how difficult it is for our members to spot an underage drinker when they try to buy alcohol," says John Hannett, Usdaw General Secretary. "The reality is that our members can be fined £80 if they sell alcohol to underage customers but I'd challenge anyone to honestly say they could accurately tell if the average teenager is 15, 16, 17 or 18."

"The MPs weren't expected to make the sort of split second decisions our members have to make every day in their stores but they still struggled. The event made a very good case for promoting a culture of 'No ID, No Sale', but we also want all young people to carry ID if they want to buy an age-restricted product which will take the pressure off hard pressed shop staff."

Almost all the MPs polled failed to identify the right age for any one of the six teenagers.

"This disturbing result highlights the fact that without a universally recognised ID scheme for young people retail staff will find it virtually impossible to make the right call," John Hannett said. "In America, young people routinely expect to be asked for proof of age when buying alcohol and we want the same attitude in the UK because teenagers here are now risking a £50 fine for trying to buy alcohol underage. This will take the pressure off our members on the frontline and reduce the potential for violence in stores."

"Most retailers are responsible employers, but we will continue to lobby the Government for practical initiatives, like the wider use of 'No ID, No Sale' posters, to help protect our members from violent thugs who try to intimidate them into making an illegal sale."

"We're grateful to the MPs who took part in this test which was a real eye opener for them and hopefully they will support our campaign for one ID scheme for teenagers that is universally recognised by retailers."

Notes to Editors:

• Photographs of the teenagers who took part are available on request from media@usdaw.org.uk.

• Contacts for newsdesks: Usdaw's Media Officer, Paul Clarke, can be contacted on 0161 249 2469 or e-mail paul.clarke@usdaw.org.uk.

• Usdaw (the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fifth biggest trade union, with over 340,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemicals and other trades.

• More information and news releases are available at our online Newsroom.

• Journalists can subscribe to receive Usdaw news releases via our online e-news service.

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© 2003 (USDAW) Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers
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