Pubs caught selling booze to underage children

Staff at the Railway Hotel, in Chapeltown Road, the Flag Inn, in Arnold Road, and the Dunscar Arms, in Darwen Road, Bromley Cross, all sold a pint of beer and a glass of wine to the boy and girl, who were acting as a couple.

The pubs could now face having their alcohol licences reviewed. The manager of the Railway Hotel also voluntarily closed the pub, on the advice of police, and it will remained closed while issues surrounding its licence are resolved.

Police carried out the test purchases following tip-offs from members of the public who had complained about the issue.

Inspector Tony Kenyon said: "We had specific information in relation to these three premises.

"When that happens we have to act on it to reassure the community that we are making sure that pubs and off-licences are being managed properly and are not contributing to anti-social behaviour in the area."

The operation was carried out between 8.30pm and 10.30pm on Friday night.

In each instance, the staff member who sold drinks to the teenagers was given an on-the-spot £80 fine by police. All three claimed they had not received any of the training which is required by the Licensing Act.

Police are now examining exactly what each licensee has done and will be speaking to them before making a decision as to whether their licence comes under review.

If police that is the case, there will be a hearing before Bolton Council's licensing committee which has the power to revoke the licence.

Insp Kenyon added that most licenced premises in Bolton were well managed but that police would always act if they found licensees were breaking the law.

Last week, the Paul Han off-licence in Glenburn Street, Great Lever, was banned from selling alcohol after undercover police caught staff selling drink to a 15-year-old volunteer.

Owner Mohammad Zargham failed to appear before Bolton Council's licensing committee, and its members unanimously agreed to revoke his licence to sell alcohol.