Network Journal 2005 Issue 3

Strong case for ID cards as MPs fail underage 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 more than 20 MPs who were asked to guess their age and only five per cent of the MPs' guesses were correct with nearly half failing to spot who was too young to buy alcohol.

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

The test was mounted to support Usdaw's campaign to promote 'No ID, No Sale' in an effort to reduce the 20,000 physical assaults on shop staff every year.

Store workers are expected to deal routinely 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," said general secretary John Hannett.

"The harsh 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.

"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."

For more on the award winning Freedom From Fear campaign visit: www.usdaw.org.uk/campaigns/freedom_from_fear/

Age refusals trigger abuse

Underage drinkers attempt to buy alcohol every five seconds in the UK and refusing to serve them often leads to verbal or physical abuse for staff.

Usdaw's own survey of more than 600 stores found that asking for ID or refusing an illegal sale was a major trigger for terrifying incidents of abuse.

Usdaw has produced a guide to help shopworkers cope with the law on age-restricted products. The leaflet will help reduce both the risk of abuse and the possibility of a fixed £80 penalty as part of a police/local authority 'sting' operation.

You can download the Preventing Underage Sales leaflet here or order it from your local Usdaw office.

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